The UNI men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the Drake Relays, which took place from Thursday through Saturday, with both the men’s and women’s squads performing well overall. The men’s team finished 7th overall and the women’s team also finished 7th overall on the day.

The men’s 4×400 meter final of Thai Thompson, Connor Blough, Tate Hookham, and Parker Kiewiet placed third for UNI. Men’s hammer thrower Kyler Yodts also placed third, throwing 63.97 meters (which was also a personal best for him). The women’s 4×400 meter relay team of Emily Vos, Jill Bennett, Allison Hilleman, and Libby Wedewer placed second place with a time of 3:45:41.

Other top finishers for UNI were the men’s 4×100 relay of Tayshaun Cooper, Michael Santi, Elijah Hicks, and Dan Blocker placing fifth. The women’s relays of Ryan Santi, Libby Wedewer, Taylor Raines, and Paishence Johnson also got fifth place in the 4×100 relays. Another fifth place finisher for UNI was Casey Hatckett for the men’s team in the triple jump with a leap of 13.28 meters.

The women’s team of Santi, Hilleman, Vos, and Emily Paul also did well in the 4×200 meter relay with a time of 1:39.20.

Overall, the Panthers did well finishing 7th for both the men’s and women’s.  UNI will next head to the Illinois State University Invite in Normal Illinois from April 30th till May 1st.