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News Brief

March 26, 2024AUSTIN, Tx.

Bearcats earn invite to Sanya Richards-Ross Relay Event

Northwest Missouri State will compete in the prestigious Sanya Richards-Ross 4x400 relay event

Northwest will compete in the prestigious Sanya Richards-Ross 4x400 relay in Austin, TX. (File photo, courtesy Northwest Athletics)

 

The Northwest Missouri State women's 4x400 meter relay has proven to be the best in NCAA Division II season after season. The Bearcats won a national title at last year's outdoor championships, and have earned the top spot at indoor nationals each of the last two years.

That dominance has earned the relay group an invitation into this weekend's Sanya Richards-Ross Relay event in the first outdoor meet of the season.

Named after four-time Olympic gold medal winner and 11-time All-American Sanya Richards-Ross, the 4x400 at the University of Texas Relays in Austin will feature teams like Clemson, BYU, Texas, UCLA, Arkansas, Houston, South Dakota and UTEP. And this year, Northwest has pushed its way into the event.

With competitions hosted by schools from Power Five conferences typically reserved for NCAA Division I programs, this prestigious event doesn't take into account the name on the jersey.

"At the end of the day, it's the clock," Northwest assistant coach Wick Cunningham said. "If you run fast enough, you get in. There's no politics."

"This meet basically says 'hey, if you're the best, you're going to race the best.' Luckily, we're one of the best and get that honor."

The Northwest women's 4x400 set a school record for the outdoor season last April clocking in at 3:33.44 on the way to a national championship that spring. The Bearcats set an NCAA Division II indoor record last month in the event running a 3:35.30 to earn a national title.

The Bearcats competing in the 4x400 at the Texas Relays are Chloe Saenz, Lucy Toledo, Kaylee Harp and Tiffany Hughey.

Northwest is the only NCAA Division II school invited to compete in this year's Sanya Richards-Ross Relay event at the Texas Relays. It will be televised Saturday afternoon on the Longhorn Network.