Michael Pecha

While most of the members of SDSU’s track andfield team had the weekend off, a few Jackrabbits travelled to Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend to compete in the Drake Relays.

Scott Roby, Kevin Doe, Matt Pearson and Brad Lowery ran to victory in the distance medley relay, beating their closest competitor, Central Missouri State, by four seconds. The victory was the first at the Drake Relays for SDSU since 1987. That year, SDSU alum, and 2000 olympian Rod Dehaven ran the last leg of the relay for the Jackrabbits.

“The emails that came into the office Monday morning spoke volumes of the effort these guys gave to the race and our team,” head coach Paul Danger said. “The alums of our program were as, or maybe even more excited with the performance than I was. Our team ran smart, and competed hard for our school.”

Pearson and Lowery also ran in the 5,000 meter run, finishing second and seventh, respectively. Pearson finished in 14 minutes 18 seconds, while Lowery came across the line at 14:26.

Jennifer Stovall, Erin Woolley, and Dave Hegland all improved on their national qualifying times.

Stovall ran the 100 meter hurdles in 14.31 seconds. Woolley finished the 5,000 meter run in 17:17. Hegland ran the 110 meter hurdles in 14.51 seconds.

Hegland, Ben Johnson, Spencer Mortensen, and Matt Lockey ran the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:01.25.

On the weekend of April 19, SDSU’s finest travelled to Los Angelas, Calif. for the Mt. Sac Relays.

Kevin Doe ran the fastest 5,000 meter run by an SDSU athlete in nearly two decades. Doe finished in 14:16.

“Kevin has developed more than any athlete I have ever coached,” Danger said. “I couldn’t be more happy for him. It just goes to show what can be done in sport with a little bit of talent, and a lot of hard work.”

Pearson and Lowery both ran 3:48 in the 1,500 at Mt. Sac. The time was a personal best for both athletes.

The Jackrabbits will wind up their season at the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls this weekend, the North Central Conference championships May 9 and 10, and the national championship at the end of May.

“This has been a tremendous year for the SDSU cross country and track and field program,” Danger said.