Bradley University Athletics

Braves Wrap Up Regular Season at Drake and Valparaiso

Duane Zehr, Bradley University ITPS

Men's Track and Field 4/26/2017 3:37:00 PM

The Bradley track and field teams make their final preparations for the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Championship with a pair of meets this weekend. The Braves are slated to compete at the Drake Relays on Thursday and Saturday, while also running at the Crusader Open at Valparaiso on Saturday.

MEET INFO
One of the top track and field events in the country, the Drake Relays have been held since 1910. A total of 12 Braves are slated to compete at the event this year, beginning on Thursday. The action kicks off for BU with the 4x1600 women's relay (6:40 p.m.), featuring Kirstin Oakley, Brooke Nusser, Gabby Juarez and Abby Jockisch. BU will also compete in the 5,000m run on Thursday with Hannah Witczak slated for the women (8:40) and Caleb Beck, Patrick Campbell, Jake Hoffert and Michael Ward running for the men.

After an off day on Friday, the Braves return to action on Saturday. Steffen Uhrich will take on the 3,00m steeplechase (9:50 a.m.), while Ward returns for the 1,500m run (3:06 p.m.) with Rachel Sudbury running for the women (2:58 p.m.). The Braves are also slated to compete at the Crusader Open on Saturday, beginning at 1:30 p.m. A full schedule will be available later in the week but the Braves will compete in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase.

LAST YEAR AT DRAKE
A number of Braves had strong performances at the Drake Relays last season. Campbell posted his career-best time in the 5,000m run on the first day, while Ward placed fifth in the 1,500m to highlight the second day for the Braves.

No current Brave has competed at the Crusader Open previously.

NCAA PRELIMINARY WATCH
As Bradley wraps up the regular season this weekend, a number of Braves are on target to qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary. Any BU runner with a time in the top 48 of the west region will qualify for the preliminary, held in Austin, Texas from May 25-27. Currently, five Braves are slated to qualify:

Daniel Gagne • 1,500m Run • 3:43.08 • 26th
Patrick Campbell • 10,000m Run • 29:26.07 • 26th
Jake Hoffert • 10,000m Run • 29:35.06 • 35th
Hannah Witczak • 10,000m Run • 35:05.80 • 43rd
Steffen Uhrich • 3,000m Steeplechase • 9:03.79 • 46th

UP NEXT
The Braves compete at the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Championship, beginning the four-day meet on Thursday, May 11.

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