University of Illinois
Drake Relays
Illinois Takes Fifth in 4x400m Relay at Drake
April 26, 2008 | Men's Track & Field
April 26, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Illini 4x400m relay ran a season-best time and placed fifth in a tightly contested race at the Drake Relays, highlighting Illinois' final day of action in one of the most prestigious meets in the country.
Junior Yawusa Kinda, junior Gary Miller, junior Gakologelwang Masheto and sophomore Brandon Gray timed 3 minutes, 7.82 seconds in the 4x400m final to improve their NCAA regional qualifying time and standing. The Illini already owned the top 4x400m time in the Big Ten.
Baylor ran away with the relay title with a time of 3:04.13, but Illinois was in the mix for the runner-up slot along with three other schools in a close finish in the second through fifth spots. Western Kentucky took second in 3:07.29 and was followed by Kentucky (3:07.32), Arizona State (3:07.35) and Illinois (3:07.82).
"It was great to see our 4x400 step it up a notch and compete with some really elite schools," head coach Wayne Angel said. "Masheto is definitely on his way back to form and will be ready for conference. However, if we're going to be effective as a team come Big Ten's, we collectively have to step it up."
The Illini sprint medley relay also had a strong showing on Saturday, as Dominique Worsley, Kinda, Eugene Ellis and Miller finished sixth with a time of 3:25.26. Illinois' distance medley relay of Jared Richardson, Dan Jones, Brian Beaird and Michael Murray was 10th in 10:09.01.
In individual events, sophomore Greg Shroka led the way in tying for sixth in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 8 ¾ inches. Sophomore Rob Pykosz (9:25.02) and senior Michael Kelley (9:30.74) finished 12th and 14th in the 3,000m steeplechase, respectively. Complete Drake Relays meet results can be found at www.drakerelays.org.
Next up for Illinois is hosting the Illinois Twilight meet at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on Wednesday, April 30 beginning at 2 p.m. The Illini will then be host to the Big Ten Outdoor Championships from May 16-18.
