DES MOINES, Iowa – A group of 12 Bulldogs represented Concordia University, Nebraska Track & Field across nine events at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday (April 25). Most notably, junior Adrianna Rodencal outdid herself once again as she reset her own school record in the 100-meter hurdles. She also ran in three separate relays while gliding around the Blue Oval at the event that annually welcomes top athletes from around the country and internationally.
The Drake Relays kicked off a weekend that will see Concordia athletes spread out at three different meets on Saturday. This will be the final weekend of action prior to the 2025 GPAC outdoor championships.
Early in the day on Friday, Rodencal took to the track for the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles. The Lincoln Lutheran product placed third with a time of 13.37 (shattering her previous best of 13.45). Rodencal outran athletes from NCAA Division I schools such as Kentucky, South Dakota, Iowa State, Ohio State, Nebraska and Northern Iowa. The finals of the 100 hurdles are scheduled to take place at 1:19 p.m. CT on Saturday.
Rodencal also ran legs for the 4x1, 4x2 and 4x4 relays on Friday. The 4x4 of Rodencal, Trinity Tuls, Isabelle Salters and Kayla Kirchner clocked a season best of 3:51.06, good for fifth place in the prelims of the college division and a spot in Saturday’s finals. The day ended with the 4x2 that ran 1:41.16 (ninth place) and was made up of Adysen McCarter, Kirchner, Emily Loseke and Rodencal. The 4x1 did not have the day it hoped after breaking the school record a week earlier.
On the men’s side, the Bulldogs entered the Drake Relays in the 4x4 and sprint medley. The 4x4 included Hayden Kluthe, Lucas Corwin, Perry Chadwick and Liam Fagan. That crew crossed the finish line in 3:22.68. The same four Bulldogs (in a different order) later completed the sprint medley in 3:43.53. The sprint medley features a 200, 400, 800 and 1,600 meters in succession.
In field events at the Drake Relays, Nathan Baldwin (discus), Abby Gerber (shot put) and McCarter (triple jump) each put themselves to the test. McCarter flirted with a personal best as she landed at a distance of greater than 38 feet. Baldwin (166’ 8”) and Gerber (44’ 4”) posted strong marks within their respective disciplines.
Drake Relays Friday (April 25) Results
· Women’s 4x100-meter relay: DQ.
· Women’s 4x200-meter relay: placed ninth (1:41.16).
· Women's 4x400-meter relay: placed fifth (3:51.06) in the prelims and qualified for Saturday’s finals.
· Men’s 4x400-meter relay: placed 29th (3:22.68).
· Men’s sprint medley: placed 19th (3:43.53).
· Nathan Baldwin: placed 11th in the discus (166’ 8”).
· Abby Gerber: placed 10th in the shot put (44’ 4”).
· Adysen McCarter: placed 11th in the triple jump (38’ ¼”).
· Adrianna Rodencal: placed third in the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles (13.37) and qualified for Saturday’s finals.
Action will continue on Saturday for Concordia Track & Field, which will have the bulk of its athletes in Lincoln, Neb., for the Prairie Wolf Invite hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan University. In addition, Abi Wohlgemuth (hammer) and Matthew Boyer (javelin) will compete at the Drake Relays while three javelin competitors will be in action in Lawrence, Kan., at the Rock Chalk Classic: Emry Gutz, Stephen Meisel and Gretchen Stottlemyre. For specific details on these Saturday meets, click HERE.