Women's Track Represents at Drake Relays, Shows Depth at Grand View Classic
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Graceland University Yellowjackets women's outdoor track and field team competed on two major stages this past weekend, making an impression at the prestigious Drake Relays and posting strong performances at the Grand View Viking Classic.
At the Drake Relays, an invitation-only event renowned for its national competition and high standards, the Yellowjackets fielded their women's 4x100-meter relay squad of Amelia Nyambuka, Grace Testerman, Deniyah Lockman, and Ambar Fulgencio. Despite fierce competition in the Small College Division, the team clocked a time of 51.91 seconds to finish 29th overall.
"The opportunity to compete at Drake is a special experience," said Graceland head coach Quinton Harley. "The exposure, the intensity, and the prestige are second to none. Our women embraced the moment and competed hard. This is a building block for our program."
While the Yellowjackets did not advance to the final rounds, qualifying for the Drake Relays alone speaks volumes about the quality of Graceland's sprint corps.
Meanwhile, across town at the Grand View Viking Classic, Graceland athletes were busy piling up strong results across multiple events, demonstrating both depth and competitiveness in the NAIA ranks.
Sprints and Hurdles Highlight Strong Day
Sophomore Vashansti Glover led the way for the Yellowjackets in the short sprints, posting a 13.42 time in the 100 meters to finish 13th overall. She returned in the 200 meters to place third, clocking a 27.36.
In hurdles action, Graceland showcased a formidable presence. Sophomore Amelia Nyambuka placed fourth in the 100-meter hurdles with a 15.90 under a +2.8 m/s wind, while senior Jacey Lewis was fifth in 16.44. Lewis later captured a win in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking 1:10.98.
"Our hurdle group really executed today," Harley said. "They stayed technical even when the conditions got tough."
Mid-Distance and Distance Efforts Shine
In the 800 meters, sophomore Thayadorra Echavarria recorded a time of 2:57.56 to place fifth.
The 1500 meters proved even more fruitful, with sophomore Caitlin Grover winning the event in a time of 5:27.48, followed closely by freshman Cameron Sharp in third at 5:45.61.
Senior Mickenzie Fisher also made her mark in the 10,000 meters, securing the event win with a time of 42:34.12, a solo effort from start to finish.
Field Events Display Strength and Progress
Graceland athletes stood tall in the jumps and throws. In the high jump, senior Sidney Gilliland tied for first place with a clearance of 1.51 meters, earning second on misses, while junior Ambar Fulgencio tied for seventh after clearing 1.48 meters.
In the triple jump, sophomore Deniyah Lockman posted a lifetime best of 10.66 meters to finish second. Lockman also recorded a 4.78-meter mark in the long jump to place sixth.
The throws group continued to provide points, led by junior Kady Vandemark's fourth-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 12.05 meters. Sophomore Hannah Kling followed closely, taking sixth with an 11.38-meter throw.
Looking Ahead
The Yellowjackets now turn their attention to the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where they will compete this Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd, on the campus of Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri.
For more information on Graceland track and field and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.