Hays earns all-conference honors in 400 meter hurdles

LINCOLN, Neb. - Maddie Hays of the Simpson College women's track and field team claimed the silver in the 400 meter hurdles, earning her first career all-conference honor.

After easily qualifying into the final, Hays set a new personal best by over a second in a time of 1:02.11, just off the current school record as the second-fastest time in school history.

"Maddie was able to put together the race we knew she was capable of running," said Storm associate head coach James Hoffman. "She and Coach Mosher had a great plan to clean up different aspects of that event and it paid off today. Her confidence is sky high after that race as we look forward to a big two weeks for her to reach nationals and hopefully a podium finish."

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hays's time is not only the second-fastest in school history, but also ranks eighth across all DIII competitors this season, putting her in a good position to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
• The junior standout also ran the second leg in the 4x100 meter relay team that clocked a time of 48.36, slightly improving on the team's second-fastest time in school history set last week.
• Maddax DeVault just finished outside the all-conference places, taking fourth in the 100 meter hurdles final in a time of 15.07.
• DeVault and teammate Audrey Arnold, who finished seventh in the 100 meter hurdles final, joined Hays and Bianca Clemons on the season-best 4x100 relay team.

UP NEXT
The Storm will send a few athletes to Rock Island, Ill. next week in hopes to cement more spots in the NCAA Championships at the end of the month.

MEET REPORT

• 1,500 Meters - 11. Emily Erhardt, 4:57.34 | 15. Kaya Young, 5:05.27 | 18. Elise Wieland, 5:14.04 | 23. Emily Escoto, 5:19.88
• 5,000 Meters - 13. Ashley Rockhold, 20:37.41 | 14. Elie Tuhn, 20:48.12
• 100 Meter Hurdles Final - 4. Maddax DeVault, 15.07 | 7. Audrey Arnold, 16.05
• 400 Meter Hurdles Final - 2. Maddie Hays, 1:02.11 (PB) | 6. Maddax DeVault, 1:05.64
• 4x100 Meter Relay - 5. Arnold, Hays, DeVault, Clemons, 48.36 (SB)
• 4x400 Meter Relay - 5. Carder, Arnold, DeVault, Young, 4:16.81

PB=personal best, SB=season best