Muller smashes pair of program records at Drake
DES MOINES, Iowa – Sophomore Kara Muller smashed a pair of her own program records on Friday to highlight College of Saint Mary's efforts in the Jim Duncan Classic at famed Drake Stadium.
In the 1,500 meters, Muller ran 4:45.43 to break her own school record by more than six seconds, finishing 12th against primarily NCAA Division I competition.
Later in the 5,000, Muller ran 18:19.81 for ninth place to break her own program record by more than 15 seconds. Again, seven of the eight finishers ahead of her were NCAA Division I athletes.
"Kara shined big today,'' CSM Coach Steve Gordon Jr. said.
The third program record came from sophomore Olivia Elbert, who ran 2:15.47 in the 800 to break her own mark of 2:16.09 and finish 16th.
The fourth program record came from sophomore Carly Henderson, whose time of 11:43.63 in the 3,000 steeplechase was good for sixth place and broke the school record by more than 26 seconds.
Gordon said the experience of competing at one of the nation's most famous venues is always exciting.
"Going to Drake is a treat!'' he said. "There are very few 100-year-old, historic stadiums like that in the entire country still standing. It will stay on our schedule as long as we receive the invitation to attend.
"The Duncan is a high-quality meet, the majority of the competition being regional NCAA D-I and D-III schools. I am proud to line our team up against quality competition and have that experience.''
CSM also fared well in the sprints. Imani Skanes' eighth-place time in the 100 of 12.35 is second in program history, while Ava Hilger's 22nd-place time in the 200 of 26.01 is also second in program history.
In the triple jump, Gozie Okafor's seventh-place effort of 10.99 (36 feet, ¾ inch) is the third-best in program history.
The CSM coach was pleased to have two finalists in each of the jumps: Okafor and Allison Isaacson (eighth) in the triple jump, and Skanes (sixth) and Mikaiya Rodgers (eighth) in the long jump.
Gordon also praised the effort of Rayna Apley, who set a personal best in the 100 hurdles (16.31) and placed fourth in the high jump at 1.55 meters (5-1).
"Rayna continues to have great consistency as her confidence grows,'' he said.
Here's are Friday's complete CSM results:
1,500: 12, Kara Muller 4:45.43; 21, Corinne Mead 5:02.12
100 hurdles: 13, Rayna Apley 16.31; 22, Ava Daro 18.61
400: 19, Ava Hilger 1:01.50
100: 8, Imani Skanes 12.35
800: 16, Olivia Elbert 2:15.47
200: 22, Ava Hilger 26.01
5,000: 9, Kara Muller 18:19.81; 15, Kiley Craft 18:57.08
3,000 steeplechase: 6, Carly Henderson 11:43.63
Shot put: 10, Syd'ney Birch-George 11.66 (38-3¼); 12, Tavia Williams 11.22 (36-9¾)
Discus: 12, Clare Ullery 34.50 (113-2); 13, Tavia Williams 33.42 (109-8)
Triple jump: 7, Gozie Okafor 10.99 (36- ¾); 8, Allison Isaacson 10.92 (35-10)
Pole vault: 8, Phoenix Jensen 2.75 (9- ¼)
High jump: 4, Rayna Apley 1.55 (5-1)
Hammer: 5, Clare Ullery 44.68 (146-7); 6, Syd'ney Birch-George 43.83 (143-9); 11, Caitlyn Klems 34.79 (114-1)
Javelin: 7, Rylie Preister 23.72 (77-10)
Long jump: 6, Imani Skanes 5.48 (17-11¾); 8, Mikaiya Rodgers 5.21 (17-1¼); 16, Kayla Briggs 4.64 (15-2¾)
