RALEIGH, N.C. - Freshman Dena O'Brien ran the fastest NCAA DI time so far of the outdoor-track season in the 5,000-meter run as the Cougars completed day one at the Raleigh Relays.

O'Brien finished as the first collegiate in the race and second overall as she crossed the finish line in 16:21.35. Her time sets a new CofC school record, breaking the previous record by 1 minute and 13 seconds. The record is O'Brien's seventh school record of her freshman year.

O'Brien wasn't the only College of Charleston athlete to experience success in the 5k race. In an earlier section of the race freshman McKenna Nokes won her race with a career best in 18:29.14, edging out the second-place finisher by less than a second.

In the 1600-meter sprint medley relay the Cougar team of Isabel Boersma, Brynne Johnson, Mary Zolga and Callen Powers broke the school record by four seconds.

Junior Emily Smith placed second in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 5 inches.

The Cougars will resume competition tomorrow on the final day of the track meet.

-www.CofCSports.com-