DES MOINES, Iowa - For most athletes in the state of Iowa, making to the prestigious Drake Relays could highlight an entire season or even career.

For four members of the Ashford University women's track and field team, it was an experience that will carry on with them when they return to Des Moines next month for Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships.

Qualifying in the 4x100 meter and 4x200-meter relays, the quartet of freshman Sarah Wenzel, freshman Nkemdilim Okwumabua of Rockford, Ill., sophomore Laura Minertz of Sterling, Ill., and senior Kim Fabry of Oconto Falls, Wis., hit the track this past weekend for the 101st Annual Drake Relays hosted by Drake University, competing against come of the top colleges in the nation.

"Competing at the Drake Relays is such a unique experience," AU Head Coach Chris Adams said. "I think the way it's formatted is a great prep for nationals, but I also think it will allow the athletes to carry themselves with a little bit more confidence heading into the conference meet."

While each event ran on Friday, the Saints lined up at 8:58 a.m. for the 4x100 meter relay in the same heat that featured conference foe Iowa Wesleyan College.

Fabry took the leadoff leg, sprinting out of the blocks and rounding the first corner where Okwumabua awaited to run the back straightaway.

When Okwumabua reached the third turn, it was Wenzel who took over the baton and ran the final corner before the anchor, Minertz, took the baton for the final 100 meters.

The Saints finished with a time of 51.35, good for sixth place in the heat.

Though the time was nearly two seconds of from the best time of the season and didn't qualify them for the finals, the Saints finished 28th overall.

Ashford would again be lining up with a conference opponent for the 4x200 meter-relay, this time with St. Ambrose University.

With each runner running half a lap and competing in the same running order as the 4x100 meter relay, the Saints clocked in with a time of 1:47.44.

The finishing time placed them third in the heat and 14th overall.