LAWRENCE, Kan. - A season best in the women's 200m and a close battle in the women's hammer highlighted California's first-day action at the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kan. 

In the initial quadrangular standings, the Cal women are in first with 13 points, while the Cal men are in third with four points. The Golden Bear women are competing with Kansas, Minnesota and Southern Illinois, while the Cal men are competing with Kansas, Southern Illinois and UMKC. 

Zion Corrales Nelson finished second in the prelims in the 200m, advancing to Saturday's final with a season-best time of 24.32. Schantell Williams just missed qualifying for the final, placing 10th overall in the prelims with a time of 25.31, while Taylor Smith finished 15th (25.72). 

The women's hammer was a close finish between Cal's Destiny Parker and Ilse Kaaja, along with Freya Block from Southern Illinois. Block was the winner with a mark of 61.15m, while Parker came in second (61.05m) and Kaaja was third (60.68m). Emma Seyer also competed, placing ninth with a mark of 49.65m.

"Zion ran well today in the 200, which was her fastest time of the year in cold conditions this morning," said director of track & field Tony Sandoval. "Destiny and Illse feed off of each other in practice and its paying dividends in meets."

Other Cal competitors on Friday were Cole Johnson in the men's 200m (19th, 22.86) and Marshall Godsil in the men's hammer (7th, 50.79m). 

Cal also competed in the Cardinal Classic on Friday. Trent Brendel placed third in the men's 5000m (14:12.77). In the other men's 5000m section, Robert Brandt placed fifth (13:45.45) and Garrett Corcoran claimed 10th with a time of 13:57.36. 

In the women's 5000m, Bethan Knights took fourth with a time of 16:02.62. Also in that section, Marissa Williams crossed the finish line in 11th (16:21.29). In the other women's 5000m section, Xochitl Navarrete clocked in at 16:23.66 to take second, while Megan Bordes placed sixth with a time of 16:54.70. 

The Kansas Relays and Cardinal Classic conclude tomorrow.