The Valparaiso University 4x800m relay set a new school record on Friday evening on the first day of competition at the AllTel Classic in Findlay, Ohio.

The team of Amanda Lee (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon H.S.), Rachel Nelson (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit H.S.), Amy Mikel (Lemont, Ill./Fenwick H.S.), and Maggie Zellner (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy H.S.) won the race in a time of 9:39.03, 22 seconds ahead of second place Siena Heights. The time bettered the 1990 record of 10:17.0.

Also on Friday, Rachel Stoehr (Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.) finished fourth in a field of 44 in the 5,000m run with a time of 18:42.61. Heidi Nathan (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford H.S.) finished 10th (19:18.42) in the same event.

On the infield, Amanda Meyer (Hudson, Wis./Somerset H.S.) finished in a tie for eighth in the pole vault, clearing 9'4 ¼". Holly Hagen (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.) registered the same place in the weight throw with a heave of 44'1 ¼".

The Crusaders will return to the oval on Saturday morning to conclude competition in the meet.