Copy of Jakobsen, 4x200 Relay Propel T&F in Day One

April 10, 2009 – The Ashford University men’s and women’s track and field team continued to progress through the spring season on Friday, finishing the first day of events at the 20th-annual Lee Calhoun Memorial hosted by Western Illinois University.

The Saints are continuing to recover from a series of injuries that have trickled through the roster in preparation for the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championship later in April.

The Saints’ women are currently fourth out of seven teams through six events scored, getting six points from sophomore Erika Jakobsen’s steeplechase run and five points from its 4x200-relay squad comprised of Alexis Turner, Kim Fabry, Laura Minertz and Karissa Turner.

The AU men's 4x200-relay unit set a new school record, finishing close to a second better than its Alabama Relays' effort in Tuscaloosa.

"Today, everyone did an excellent job," said Ashford Track and Field Coach Tyson Graham. "Two new school records with a very respectable day by the women's 4x200 is a great way to start the weekend. The whole team will be in attendance tomorrow and we look to continue this trend."

Jakobsen finished third out of six competitors, clocking with a time of 43:04.25. She eclipsed her own school record by almost a minute.

"I would say it's probably the hardest race Erika (Jakobsen) has run all year," said Graham. "She was more consistent in her splits and even though she was tempted to go a little hard in the middle miles, she remained patient. When the race was over, she literally had nothing left. I couldn't ask more from her."

The AU men’s 4x200-relay team of Caleb Snyder, Robert Phillips, Ademola Are and Franklin Barnes recorded six points with a fourth-place finish in 1:32.28.

Ashford is in sixth place on the men’s side through five events scored.

Competition wraps up tomorrow throughout the day in Macomb, Ill., at 9 a.m. with additional field and running events scheduled to begin at 10:55 a.m.