Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Drake Relays
Tech Qualifies Three To Drake Relays Finals On Friday
April 29, 2016 | Track and Field
Chris Caldwell was a part of two of the three Texas Tech events earning a spot in the finals on Friday.
April 29, 2016
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Texas Tech track & field added several strong performances on a cold day two of the Drake Relays on Friday, April 29, at Drake Stadium.
After a DQ, the men's 4x100 relay team earns first (40.74) and is #In tomorrow's final! #WreckEmhttps://t.co/msGQ1ATMvU
-- TTU Track & Field/XC (@TTU_TF_XC) April 29, 2016
Caldwell also ran the leadoff leg of the men's 4x100 relay, joining Nigel Bethel, Kareem McBride and Kyle Collins in the preliminary section. The quartet pieced together a time of 40.74 to win heat four and place fourth overall, automatically advancing to Saturday's final.
The 110m hurdles final will take place at 2:44 p.m., while the men's 4x100 relay final is slated for 3:20 p.m.
Also qualifying for tomorrow's final was the men's 4x400 relay team of Joseph Richards III, Kyle Collins, Kareem McBride and JW Smith at 3:07.29. Richards led off the race and made the first exchange of the field, handing it off to Collins, who ran a fantastic second leg at 45.4 and continued to hold the edge before giving the baton to McBride. Although he traded the lead for a stretch, McBride gave the baton to Smith with an advantage; however, he would be edged out on the final 200 meters to place second in the heat.
The group of four finished with the fifth-best time in the field, first among non-heat winners, and will take on the final at 3:52 p.m. on Saturday.
Charles Brown finishes fifth in the men's triple jump with a new personal-best 15.72m/51-7! pic.twitter.com/05ZGyKVSXO
-- TTU Track & Field/XC (@TTU_TF_XC) April 29, 2016
In the men's pole vault, Brandon Bray tallied a fourth-place finish after clearing 5.15m/16-10.75. Bray opened the event at 5.00m/16-4.75, clearing on his second attempt. He made quick work of 5.15m/16-10.75, successfully making it over the bar on his first crack at it, before topping off on the cold Friday afternoon.
Charles Brown recorded a strong performance in the men's triple jump, posting a double-PR en route to a fifth-place finish in the loaded field of competitors. The first best came on his second attempt in the event at 15.54m/51-0. Then on fifth jump, he landed another PR at 15.72m/51-7, and would hit the sand at the same distance on his sixth attempt of the day.
The mark propelled Brown up to No. 12 in the NCAA West region, a 12 spot increase from where he came into the competition. It also marked back-to-back meets he has set a personal-best in the event. On Saturday, Brown will take on the long jump, an event that he currently ranks seventh in the country.
Also on Friday in Iowa, Jasmine Torres notched a victory in the women's 1500 meters at the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola. Torres crossed the finish line with a time of 4:35.54 to grab the top spot in the event.
The Red Raiders will wrap up the Drake Relays on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the women's triple jump. In El Paso, members of the Texas Tech throws group will compete beginning at 10 a.m. at the UTEP Invitational.
Players Mentioned
