Woodbury Native Zac Schlegel Invited to Drake Relays

SAINT PAUL, MN (05/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Bethel University senior Zac Schlegel of Woodbury, 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.

Schlegel participated in the 4x400 dash in the stadium where thousands of fans congregate to watch the athletes. The Royals relay team ran a time of 3:20.66 to finish 20th out of 29 teams. The time is three seconds slower than their season best. The last relay Schlegel and three other Royals participated in was the distance medley relay, 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. Schlegel 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.