New Brighton Native Matt Schafer Invited to Drake Relays

SAINT PAUL, MN (05/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Bethel University junior Matt Shafer of New Brighton, Minn., was one of eight men sent to the prestigious Drake Relays – a five-day invitational that brings in 30,000 athletes from around the globe. High school, every division of college, and professional athletes come to partake in the relays. It was the 103rd running of the relays that takes place annually at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Not everyone who attempts to enter the Drake Relays gets in because there are a limited number of spots.

Schafer participated in the distance medley relay, the last relay that the Royals participated in. It is a 1200, 400, 800, and a 1600 for a total 4000 meters or ten laps around the track. The team's race earned them a fourth-place finish out of 21 teams and a new school record. The distance medley relay was the third oldest record and was set in 1983 at 10:13.64. Shafer and his teammates improved that mark by 15 seconds with a time of 9:58.85.

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.