April 26, 2006

By Steve McLean, SFU Media Relations

BURNABY, B.C. - The record breaking Simon Fraser University (B.C.) women's 4x800m relay team will attain another first for SFU this upcoming weekend, as the team has been formally invited to the world renowned Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. The team departs Friday and will compete Saturday, April 29, at 1:30 pm.
 
2006 will mark the 112th running of the Penn Relays, which dates back to 1895. It is expected that over 50,000 people will be in attendance during Saturday's full day of competition. The meet begins on Thursday, April 27, and runs until Saturday, April 29.
SFU's lineup will consist of 2005 NAIA Outdoor 800m Champion Rebecca Johnstone (Bowen Island, B.C.), 2006 1000m Indoor Champion Julia Howard (St. John's, NL), 2006 NAIA 4x800m Indoor Champion Heather Mancell (Anmore, B.C.), 2005 NAIA Team Cross Country National Champion Kristen Kolstad (Surrey, B.C.) and 2006 NAIA 4x800m Indoor Champion Alexandra Krasovska (Latvia, alternate). 
 
"We have never gone [to the Penn relays] before, and I thought it would be a very exciting opportunity to compete against the top NCAA schools," said SFU head coach Brit Townsend. "We currently hold the NAIA [indoor and outdoor] records, and this is a great way for Julia [Howard] and Rebecca [Johnstone] to end their careers. This is the biggest relay meet in North America."
 
In 2006, the SFU team has already brought home the NAIA Indoor 4x800m Championship. However the team is also made up of individual champions, highlighted by Johnstone and Howard. Johnstone is the defending NAIA 800m Outdoor Champion, while Howard is the reigning NAIA 1000m Indoor Champion and 2005 NAIA Individual Cross Country Champion. It is expected that either Johnstone or Howard will run the final length.
 
"If everyone runs their best, then we can be in the top three," says a confident Townsend of her premier team. "We are always running to win."
 
The entire Clan track and field team will be in action next Wednesday, May 3, when they host UBC at Swangard Stadium for a dual meet.