The Missouri State track and field team got its first competitor on the track today at the Drake Relays.  The Drake Relays, celebrating its 100th year, is one of the largest and most prestigious track meets in the country.

Junior Pasca Cheruiyot was the lone runner for the Bears today.  She won the 5,000-meter run with an NCAA Regional qualifying time of 16:43.46.  She edged out the second-place finisher by just over a second.  It was the second time this season that Cheruiyot ran a Regional qualifying time in the event.

The Bears will have athletes competing at Drake again on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Other Bear athletes will travel to Joplin, Mo., to race in the Williams/Laptad Invitational tomorrow.  On Saturday, the Missouri State sprinters will compete at the SIUE Twilight Open, which begins at 11:30 a.m.