Saturday, January 14, 2012

VERMILLION, S.D. – Junior Marissa Smith (Ajax, Ontario) earned a second-place showing in the 60-meter hurdles, while fellow junior Whitney Westrum (Waukee, Iowa) was second in the 200-meter dash at the Graphic Edge Alumni Meet  hosted by the University of South Dakota on Saturday.

Smith's time of 8.77 led a trio of Bulldogs that competed in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles. Junior Briana Isom-Brummer (St. Louis, Mo.) was fifth (9.17), while junior Sarah Yeager (Ottumwa, Iowa) was sixth (9.24).

“Smith looked solid in the 60 meter hurdles today,” commented head coach Natasha Brown.

Westrum's time of 26.10 in the 200-meters was a hundredth of a second slower than Megan Bren of South Dakota State, who won the event.

“Westrum proved to be very competitive in the 200-meters,” stated Brown. “This was her first open event since the MVC indoor meet last February.”

Drake will compete next Friday and Saturday (Jan. 20-21) at the Iowa State Open in Ames, Iowa.

“I'm looking forward to seeing how the team performs at the meet next weekend in Ames,” said Brown.