DES MOINES, IOWA -- Five records were set during the Friday session of the 100th running of the Drake Relays which saw record attendance marks for the afternoon and evening sessions.
Nebraska's Natalie Willer set as American Junior record (20 years) as well as a Drake Relays record to win the women's university-college pole vault, soaring 14 feet 3.5 inches.
Indiana State's Kyle Hutson, who captured the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championship, finished fourth at 13-1.5.
Temperatures that leveled off at 85 degrees for a four-hour span also greeted fans and athletes, marking the warmest Friday session since the temperature hit 85 degrees at the 1986 Drake Relays.
A total of 23,320 fans watched the Friday session, which was the largest since Drake Stadium was renovated in 2006. There were 12,298 fans for the afternoon session, which was the largest since the stadium renovation as a well as a record 11,022 fans in the short four-year history of the Friday evening session.
Led by 2008 U.S. Olympian Kara Patterson, the Big Ten Conference dominated the four women's field events which were held Friday
Patterson, a senior at Purdue, captured the women's university-college javelin with a throw of 177-9. The 23-year-old won the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials over defending national champion Dana Pounds and American record holder Kim Kreiner.
Michigan's Emily Pendleton and Christina Solomon won the university-college discus (179-3) and university-college high jump (5-11.25), respectively. Aja Evans from Illinois won the women's university-college shot put at 52-11.5.
With 2009 NCAA indoor 200 champ Trey Harts anchoring, the Baylor men won its third straight university 4x200 relay in 1:22.01. The Baylor women also defended their title in the university distance medley relay in 11:12.75.
Wisconsin captured its first ever victory in the 100-year history of the men's university 4x800 relay in 7:21.10. That was the second fastest outdoor time in the world this year.
Behind a 1:48.5 anchor leg by junior Zach Beth, the Badgers also ended Northern Iowa's two-year reign as Drake Relays champion in the event. The Panthers were second in 7:21.45 with senior Tyler Mulder, the 2008 NCAA indoor 800 champ, being timed in 1:47.4 on his anchor leg.
Minnesota became just the second team in the 31-year history of the women's university 4x800 relay to win the event three straight years, joining Oregon, which won in 1995, 1996 and 1997. The Gophers, with former NCAA indoor 800 champ Heather Dorniden running a 2:06.1 anchor, was time in 8:37.20.
Minnesota's Aaron Studt won the men's university-college division shot put for the second straight year at 61-5.75.
