April 26, 2003
DES MOINES, Iowa - The University of Missouri men and women's track team had an excellent week at the Drake Relays,considered to be one of the most prestigious track events in the world. Three Tigers were crowned Drake Relays champions this week, including senior co-captain Russ Bell who won the college shot put event for the second consecutive year.
On the men's side Russ Bell won the college/university division shot put with a throw of 60 feet, 5 inches. Bell was the only champion who successfully defended their title at this year's meet. Senior All-American Christian Cantwell won the special division shot put with a throw of 69 feet, 5.25 inches, Cantwell's longest outdoor throw this year. Bell finished 6th in the special shot put, throwing 60 feet, 8 inches. In addition to the throwers, sophomore Jesse Sims had a leap of 6 feet, 10.75 inches in the high jump.
On the women's side, junior All-American Jennifer Bennett set a new Drake Relays record in the pole vault with a leap of 13 feet, 5.75 inches, she broke the record by an inch. In addition to Bennet's jump, junior Janae Strickland finished 2nd in the women's special division shotput with a throw of 52 feet, 9.25 inches. Also sophomore Jenny Bybee finished third in the high jump with a jump of 5 feet, 8.5 inches, duplicating a season-best jump.
The Tiger track team will be in action next in Manhattan, Kansas at the Ward Haylett Invitational at Kansas State University.