Williams, Caffrey Make Drake Mark

DES MOINES -- The hurdlers were the stars for the Iowa State women's track team Saturday at the Drake Relays in Drake Stadium. The women's shuttle hurdle relay placed second and then senior Rebecca Williams and freshman Jenna Caffrey finished second and third, respectively, in the 100-meter hurdle final.

“It was a terrific day for us,” Iowa State women's hurdles coach Scott Roberts. “I thought we ran really well in the shuttle. While we were disappointed that we did not win, we crushed the school record.”

Williams teamed with three Iowans, senior Sara Boisen (West Des Moines), junior Megan Nielsen (Altoona) and Caffrey (Burlington) on the shuttle, which posted a runner-up time of 55.53. The previous ISU school mark was 58.16. Michigan won the race in 54.82.

In the 100-meter hurdles final, Williams was closing on winner Tiffany Johnson of Iowa, who finished in a barely wind-aided 13.20 seconds. Williams' runner-up effort was 13.29. Caffrey, just a freshman, was third in 13.52.

“Rebecca hit a couple of hurdles,” Roberts said. “She still hasn't run a clean race yet so we haven't even seen her best. We're starting to see that Jenna is at her best in the biggest races. A freshman, she was fourth in the Big 12 indoors (60-meter hurdles) and third at the Drake Relays. She ran her fastest time yet. It is really exciting.”

“Overall we had a good day, I am pleased with how we did,” Williams said. “The crowd gets you pumped up.”

For Caffrey, the two races were an exciting return to the track on which she had won Drake Relays and state meet titles in high school.

“This was a thrill,” Caffrey said. “Having run here before and running in college when you family is in the stands, it is special.”

It was a watershed moment for Caffrey, who had a picture of Alabama hurdler Beau Walker, a former Drake MVP in her bedroom during her high school years. Saturday, Walker finished fourth, just behind Caffrey in the 100-meter hurdle final.

Drake Relays Iowa State Women's Track Results

Shuttle Hurdle Relay

1. Michigan, 54.82; 2. Iowa State (Williams, Boisen, Nielsen, Caffrey), 55.53

100-meter hurdles

1. Tiffany Johnson, Iowa, 13.20w; 2. Rebecca Williams, Iowa State, 13.29w; 3. Jenna Caffrey, Iowa State, 13.52w

400-meter hurdles

1.Ajoke Odomusu, South Alabama, 55.37, 12. Sara Boisen, Iowa State, 60.56

Long Jump

1. Brittney Reese, Mississippi, 20-10 ?; 16. Priya Hoze, Iowa State, 18-9 3/4

Players Mentioned

Sara Boisen

Jenna Caffrey

Priya Hoze

Megan Nielsen

Rebecca Williams

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics