DES MOINES, Iowa - The Indiana State Track & Field teams had a productive Friday at the Drake Relays and Jesse Owens Track Classic, picking up several strong performances at both meets.
 
Some of the nation's top hammer throwers descended upon Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Friday to compete in the championship section of the women's hammer throw. Erin Reese, being one of the nation's best throwers, represented the blue and white well in the event, earning a second place finish behind a toss of 62.23m (204-02), only falling to Ohio State's Sade Olatoye who owns the fifth-best mark in the NCAA. Reese's mark of 63.56m (208-06) from the Ole Miss Classic is second in the Missouri Valley Conference, 14th in the NCAA East and 23rd in the country.
 
Prior to Reese's performance, Cassaundra Roper took part in the open section of the women's hammer throw. The redshirt senior ended up with a throw of 54.53m (178-11) to earn an eighth place finish. Her mark of 57.94m (190-01) is fifth in the MVC.
 
The unquestioned leaders on the track at the Drake Relays for ISU was the 4x800-meter relay team of Imani Davis, Rebecca Odusola, Jocelyn Quiles and Jessi Conley. In a deep field of competition, the four women clocked the second-fastest time in Sycamore history in the event of 8:51.15, just edging out MVC rival Northern Iowa for a fifth place finish.
 
It was a good day on the track for Quentin Pierce in the men's 1500-meter run at the Drake Relays. The senior earned a fifth place finish in the event behind a time of 3:47.86, only .13 away from a career-best. After his performance on Friday, he improves his fourth overall time in the conference.
 
The lone Sycamore to qualify for a final round at the Drake Relays was sprinter DeAndra Greer. The senior earned an automatic qualifier spot in the women's 100-meter dash by winning heat two of the event with a time of 11.77, a wind-legal season-best and the third overall time in the Valley. She will compete in the final round tomorrow at 3:12 p.m. ET.
 
Freshman Matthew Lewis-Banks also put on a finals-worthy performance in the 110-meter hurdles, but unfortunately one of the automatic qualifier positions from a different heat recorded a slower time than him, eliminating the freshman from contention. That doesn't take away from his performance, as he clocked the eighth-fastest time in the event of 14.15, just .03 away from his personal-best.
 
Action at the Drake Relays is set to begin at noon ET on Saturday with the women's high jump, while events at Ohio State will get underway at 10:30 a.m. ET with the women's shot put.
 
Other Notable Drake Performances
Women's 1500m Run:
9. Brooke Moore - 4:28.92
 
Women's 4x100-Meter Relay:
11. Morgan, Lindsey, Cooper and Greer - 46.97
 
Other Notable Ohio State Performances
Men's Javelin Throw:
11. Sam Overton - 52.81m (173-03)
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track & Field teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.