RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s shuttle hurdle relay team – composed of juniors Tashana Johnson and Jasmyn Norris, sophomore Lutisha Bowen and freshman DanHeisha Harding – is the top-ranked team in the country, according to the website milesplitu.us.

The team ran the fastest time in the country, 56.84, at the UT Sea-Ray Relays on April 7. That time is only 0.2 seconds off the EKU school record, set in 1986.

They are currently ranked ahead of teams from schools such as Western Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi State and UAB.

“This accomplishment is the result of a lot of dedicated work on their part,” assistant coach Tim Moore, who instructs the shuttle hurdle relay team, said. “That they are within 0.2 seconds of the school record is also very impressive because that team ran the second-fastest time in the world that year and was anchored by a United States Olympic Trials champion in Jackie Humphrey.”

The shuttle hurdle relay team will compete this weekend at the talent-laden Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

The women’s 4x100 and 4x200 meter relay teams will also compete at the Penn Relays, as will junior Katherine Pagano, sophomore David Mutuse and freshman Soufiane Bouchikhi (all in the 5,000 meters).

The EKU track and field team will compete at the OVC Outdoor Championships from April 30 – May 1 in Cookeville, Tenn.