PULLMAN, Wash. (Apr. 27) -- Seattle Pacific University's Cyrena Bell sprinted to an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time in the 400 meters and anchored a 4 x 100 relay to another provisional mark at the Cougar Invitational track & field meet Friday at Mooberry Track.

Bell (Sr., Kent, Wa./Christian Faith) bolted to a personal-best time of 56.38 seconds to finish fourth. She also ran the fourth leg of the Falcons' relay which took fourth in 47.92 seconds. Top middle-distance runner Rachel Ross (Jr., Kennewick, Wa.) multi-event standout Stephanie Huffman (Jr., Brush Prairie, Wa./Prairie) were held out of the meet by coach Jack Hoyt.

The only other personal best mark came from Dionna Anderson (Jr., Lynnwood, Wa./Edmonds-Woodway), who was fourth in the shot put with a throw of 43 feet, 2 1/2 inches.

Also finishing fourth was intermediate hurdler Karen Summers (Sr., Bremerton, Wa/Seattle Christian) in a time of 1:01.78 despite a downpour during that event.

The highest placement for any SPU athlete was Kelsey Backen (Jr., Yakima, Wa./East Valley), who was runner-up in the men's 1500 meters. Backen, in 4:02.68, finished behind Idaho's Ryan Jensen, who won in 3:57.93.

Paul Mach (Fr., Seattle, Wa./King's) was fourth in the 400 hurdles in a 55.47 seconds.

Seattle Pacific will next compete at the Pacific West Conference Championships next Saturday in Monmouth, Or. SPU is the defending women's team champion.