Des Moines, Iowa - USD junior Crystal Schiernbeck started the 101st Drake Relays on a good note for the South Dakota track and field teams, as she completed the women's heptathlon with a personal-best 4,560 points on Thursday at Drake Stadium.

Competing against reigning U.S. national champion Diana Pickler, Schiernbeck (Ida Grove, Iowa) finished eighth overall in a field of 13 to move to the top of the Great West Conference performance list. She now leads the event by over 500 points.

Schiernbeck opened the competition on Wednesday afternoon with a solid 808 points after running 15.26 in the 100-meter hurdles and ended the first day's four events with a 25.43 in the 200 meters for 843 points. Her best performance during Thursday's three events was a leap of 17-11 3/4 in the long jump for 694 points.

The Drake Relays continue at 8 a.m. tomorrow with the first race in the university/college division at 9 a.m. USD will also compete at the Kip Janvrin Open at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Events begin at 2 p.m.