April 24, 2004 -- Des Moines, Iowa -- For the second consecutive day, a member of the Cowgirl track and field program set a new UW record at the 2004 Drake Relays, Friday in Des Moines, Iowa. Senior Shauna Smith posted a new top time in the 400 meter hurdles on Saturday, and also helped the Cowgirl 4x400 meter relay team to a first place finish.

Smith, a native of Sheridan, Wyo., took first place in the Special Division of the women's 400 meter hurdles with a career best time of 56.80 seconds. The time breaks her previous UW school record in the event, 57.24 seconds, which she set earlier this year. The time is also the second fastest time in Mountain West Conference history.

Cowgirl senior Kima Wells, a Alpine, Wyo. native, finished first in her heat of the prelim's of the women's 100 meter dash on Friday with a new UW school record time of 11.70 seconds. Saturday, Wells placed fourth in the finals of the race, finishing with a time of 11.75 seconds.

Junior Jessica Fox, a native of Burns, Wyo., placed second in the Special Division of the women's 400 meter dash. Her time of 53.09 seconds was runner-up to Shellene Williams of Iowa, who turned in a time of 52.95 seconds.

Wells, Smith, Fox and Casper, Wyo., native Amanda Hopper raced to a first place finish in the finals of the women's 4x400 meter relay. Their time of 3:39.11 was well ahead of second place of Eastern Michigan's time of 3:46.17. The squad qualified for the finals of the race Friday when they set a new UW record in the event, clocking in at a 3:33.01. The time is also a new MWC record.

"All four girls ran very well," said UW head track and field coach Don Yentes. "They battled through a cold, rainy day and put up some great performances. This is our program's first ever win at the Drake Relays, that shows how well these girls and our program is doing."