Lincoln men, women shine at Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa - Led by a record-setting performance by the men's 4x100-meter relay team, the Lincoln University track and field teams enjoyed a stellar performance at the Drake Relays that finished Saturday.

The relay team of Ravel Grey, Devin Hill, Joshua Manuel and Romel Lewis captured first in the college event in 39.57 seconds, breaking the mark of 39.81 set by Lindenwood in 2005.

Not only was the mark an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships and the best this season by a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association squad, but it would have been fast enough to beat every team in the university event. The best time in that one was the 39.71 put up by the University of Georgia.

The Lincoln women were just as impressive, as they won a total of three events, all relays, during the Relays.

The Blue Tigers took first in the 4x100-meter college relay with the team of Nickeisha Beaumont, Latoya King, Toni-Ann Moore and Tamara Keane. Their time of 45.08 is an automatic qualifier for nationals.

Lincoln also got a win in the 1,600-meter sprint medley college relay (3:53.75) with the squad of Moore, Shakeisha Miller, Michelle Cumberbatch and Twishana Williams.

The Blue Tigers' final win came in the 4x100-meter university/college shuttle hurdle relay (55.22) thanks to the team of Yanique Haye, Ladonna Richardson, Miller and Anna-Kay James.