DES MOINES, Iowa ? Junior Whitney Carlson became only the third North Dakota State athlete to win an event at the Drake Relays as she captured the long jump title on Saturday, April 24. Her mark of 21 feet 1 ½ inches broke the school record of 21-1 ¼ she set in 2009. The jump is currently tied for fourth in the nation.
She joins Laura Hermanson, who won the 800 meters in 2009, and Kinsey Coles, who claimed the 800 in 2004, as NDSU's Drake Relays individual champions.
The sprint medley relay team of senior Heather Zander, sophomore Brittany Page, freshman Ashley Tingelstad and junior Brittany Gigstead set a new school record of 3:52.56 in a third place finish. The previous record was 3:52.95 set in 2009. Zander and Page ran the 200 meter legs, Tingelstad ran the 400 and Gigstead anchored with the 800.
Carlson also competed in the 400 meter hurdles, where she placed 14th in a season-best time of 1:00.02.
Sophomore Kristen Killoran joined Carlson in the long jump. She placed fifth with a leap of 20-1 ½. Killoran also competed in the triple jump, coming in 15th with a mark of 39-9 ¼.
The Bison will now travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Howard Wood Dakota Relays April 30-May 1.
