McPherson College qualified two relays for the annual Drake Relay. The 4 x 100 meters relay won its heat in a time of 42.69, but failed to advance to the finals and again just missed the NAIA national qualifying time of 42.30.
The Bulldogs’ sprint medley relay team, running legs of 200m, 200m, 400m, and 800m, failed to get the baton all the way around the track for the necessary four laps when Seth Caveneee pulled up when he suffered a slight hamstring pull during his opening leg, 200 meter carry.
The extent of Cavenee's injury and what effect it may have on his availability for next weekend's KCAC championships will be determined on the team's return to McPherson.
“Seth was really running well coming out of the curve, when he felt the hamstring,” said McPherson coach Bart Gray on Monday. “He won’t go for a few days, and we probably won’t have him for conference this weekend, unless (athletic trainer) Amanda (Wolf) can perfom some magic. But, hopefully, he’ll be able to go by nationals the end of May.”
The majority of the remainder of the Bulldog track and field team was scheduled to compete on Saturday at the Southwestern College Relays in Winfield. The entire team will be back in action next Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1, at KCAC Championships hosted by Southwestern College in Winfield.
Complete McPherson results:
4 x 100m Relay – McPherson 42.69 (Kris Smiley, America Patton, Preston Taylor, Seth Cavenee)
Sprint Medley Relay – McPherson DNF (Seth Cavenee, America Patton, Preston Taylor, Tim Cox)