University of Illinois
Drake Relays
Evans Wins Shot Put Title at Drake Relays
April 24, 2009 | Women's Track & Field
April 24, 2009
DES MOINES, Iowa - Junior Aja Evans brought home a Drake Relays title for the Illinois women's track and field team, winning the shot put on Friday to open Orange and Blue competition at the prestigious meet. The Illini had a strong overall day of competition in a windy day at Drake Stadium, advancing in two other events to tomorrow's finals and taking third in the 4x200m relay.
Evans won the university/college section of the shot put with a throw of 52 feet, 11 1/2 inches. The reigning Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, she defeated a field of 27 entrants and hit the NCAA regional qualifying standard in the shot put for the fourth time this season. Her first-place finish at Drake also marks her third event title of the outdoor year.
Illinois had one other event final on Friday, with the 4x200m relay placing third. Sophomore Tamika Robinson, sophomore Melissa Bates, senior Omoye Ugiagbe and freshman Latoya Griffith timed 1:36.11 for the Orange and Blue to better their performance in the event from the Texas Relays. Louisiana Tech won the 4x200m relay title with a time of 1:35.02.
The Illini 4x400m relay advanced to tomorrow's final after placing third in event prelims. Brown, Ugiagbe, freshman Ryisha Boyd and Bates timed 3:39.71, finishing third overall. Texas (3:36.76) and Mississippi (3:37.50) turned in the top performances of the day.
Brown will also run a final in an individual event, taking sixth overall and second in her heat in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.25. She will be one of eight athletes vying for the event title tomorrow at 3:32 p.m. Robinson was 13th in the 100m prelims and 14th in the 100m hurdles prelims.
Illinois action at the Drake Relays continues tomorrow morning with Alecia Beckford-Stewart and Jayla McArthur competing in the long jump at 9:30 a.m.
Illinois Schedule at the Drake Relays
Saturday, April 25
9:30 a.m.......Long Jump (Alecia Beckford-Stewart, Jayla McArthur)
11:27 a.m......4x1,600m relay final (Shannon Phelan, Elizabeth Boyle, Chantelle Groenewoud, Angela Bizzarri)
1:49 p.m.......400m Hurdles (Deserea Brown, Latoya Griffith)
3 p.m..........Triple Jump (Alexandria Smith)
3:32 p.m........100m Hurdles final (Deserea Brown)
3:42 p.m........100m Hurdles special invitational (Perdita Felicien)
6:17 p.m........4x400m relay final (Deserea Brown, Omoye Ugiagbe, Ryisha Boyd, Melissa Bates)
