STANFORD, Calif. – Freshman Michael Ward (Cardiff, South Wales/Llanishen) broke the school record in the men's 1,500 meters and junior Emily Delvo (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin) nearly broke the top mark in the women's 1,500 meters to highlight action for the Bradley men's and women's track & field teams Saturday at the Payton Jordan Invitational.

Ward, who also set a new school record in the 5,000 meters earlier this spring, broke the school record in the men's 1,500 meters by almost three seconds, finishing seventh in his heat with a time of 3:44.56.  His time broke Eric Delvo's record of 3:47.55 set last year. 

In the women's 1,500 meters, Delvo topped her career-best time by over two seconds and crossed the line eighth in her heat at 4:24.33 for the second-best time in school history.  Delvo's time ranks second behind Mary Goldkamp's 2011 school record of 4:23.18 and ranks second in the MVC this season.

Freshman Haran Dunderdale (Grantham, England/Carres) got the day started on a strong note by posting a season-best time in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase.  He was 17th in the field at 9:11.90, clocking the third-best time in school history and best time on the squad this year. 

Senior Kyela Specht (Munster, Ind./Munster) took fourth in her heat of the women's 800 meters at 2:10.77, while sophomore Rachel Sudbury (Tomahawk, Wis./Tomahawk) was close behind in seventh with a season-best effort of 2:13.83.

In addition to competing out west at the Payton Jordan Invitational, the Braves had a contingent running at the Redbird Invitational in Normal, Ill., Saturday afternoon. 

The Bradley track & field teams return to action May 15-17 at the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Normal, Ill.