Feb. 14, 2004 - Ames, Iowa - Valentines Day 2004 turned out to be a good one for several members of the University of Wyoming track and field teams. School records were broken and personal milestones accomplished at the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa on Friday and Saturday.

The Cowboy distance medley relay team raced to the fourth fastest time in school history. The relay consists of four different distances; 1200 meters, 800 meters, 400 meters and the mile run. The tandem of Jeremy Thompson (1200 meters), Jeremiah Johnson (800 meters), Dominic Baysinger (400 meters) and Matt Hudson (mile) crossed the finish line in 10:08.82.

Several Cowboys also turned in great individual performances. Sophomore Jeremiah Johnson clocked in the second fastest time in UW history in the 800 meter run. His time of 1:50.80 placed him 17th and is a personal best mark. In the mile run junior Matt Hudson turned in a career best time of 4:15.47, while sophomore Robert Harris placed 39th out of 95 competitors with a personal best time of 48.94 in the 400 meter dash.  See editors note below for corrections.

Cowgirl junior Shauna Smith highlighted UW Saturday as she took first place in the 400 meter dash. Smith clocked in at an unbelievable time of 52.11, an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA Indoor Championships. Smith's time also breaks her fellow teammate Jessica Fox's school and Mountain West Conference record in the event, 52.88 set just this season at the Air Force Invite. In the process, she also set a new ISU Harry Hoak Fieldhouse record. Smith has now automatically and provisionally qualified for the NCAA's in the 400 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles.

Senior Kima Wells had the third fastest time in the 60 meter dash with her preliminary time of 7.48, but did not race in the finals. She did however race in the 400 meter dash where she placed seventh with a time of 55.40.

In the women's 5,000 meter run, three Cowgirls eclipsed the previous UW school record in the event, held by Dodie Kociss (18:01.14, 1992). Junoir Jennifer Thompson took ninth place in the event with her time of 17:19.16 to etch her name in the record book. Sophomore Emerald Reid won her heat of the race and now holds the second fastest time in school history with her 16th overall finish and time of 17:40.66. Junior Natalie Kean took 22nd place with her time of 17:48.16 to put herself third on the all-time list.

Three other Cowgirls turned in personal best performances in their respective events. Sophomore Tanice Barnett took tenth place in the 800 meter run with a career best time of 2:12.25. Sophomore Michelle Kvernmo clocked in at 10:13.70 in the 3,000 meter race for a personal best mark, and sophomore Maggie Diller took 25th place in the mile run with a personal best time of 5:07.64.

"The women really ran great," said UW head track and field coach Don Yentes. "Our distance kids are really stepping up and competing well and our sprint crew had a pretty good day. Overall, I was pleased with the performances our kids put forth today. As for our women's team, I really think if we can just get healthy in two weeks we could be right in the hunt for the Mountain West title, but we just have to be able to get everyone healed up."

The two teams will have one more tune-up meet, the Wyoming Open on Friday, Feb. 20th, before heading to the 2004 MWC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 26-28th in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Editor's notes: Jeremiah Johnson ran his college indoor personal best.  His outdoor personal best is 1:49.80.  Matt Hudson ran near his personal best in the mile.  His best mile time is 4:15.34 at the Nebraska Husker in February 2003.  Jeremy Thompson ran near his personal best of 1:53.41 (last week at the Husker Invite) with a 1:53.51.  Shauna Smith set the 400m stadium record of 52.11 for the Harry Hoak Track in the Lied Recreation Center.  Smith is automatically qualified in the 400m dash and the 60 meter hurdles (not the 400m hurdles).