Several distance runners represented the Valparaiso University women's track and field team on Thursday evening at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Crusaders 4xMile relay earned a 15th place finish in the meet. Jobeth Schmiesing (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West H.S.), Amy Mikel (Lemont, Ill./Fenwick H.S.), Amanda Lee (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon H.S.) and Rachel Nelson (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit H.S.) finished in a time of 21:25.24, the third fastest relay in school history.

Elizabeth Whiting (Parma, Mich./Western H.S.) then concluded the day with a 22nd place finish in the 10,000m run. The junior crossed the finish line in a time of 38:47.79.

The rest of the Valpo track and field team will compete on Friday and Saturday at the Boilermaker Open in West Lafayette, Ind.