ALBUQUERQUE – The Shippensburg women's indoor distance medley relay squad of senior Emily Dubs, senior Laura Henzy, junior Amanda Raudabaugh and junior Neely Spence won the 2011 Division II National Championship on Friday night with a time of 11:38.38.

Shippensburg won the distance medley relay championship for the second time in three years. SU finished second last year and has achieved All-America honors in the relay for each of the last four seasons.

“This race showed how important the DMR squad has been to the Shippensburg University track program for the last four years,” Spence said.

Dubs filled in for senior Abby Huber, who was sick and unable to compete. Despite having just one hour before the notification that she was to race, Dubs posted a solid split of 3:40.52.

“It's special how close our team really is,” Spence said. “Everybody had to be prepared, and we had to make a tough decision before the race, but we all sat down and came together.”

“Abby has been on this relay for three years – she gave up her spot for the team as a senior. She still warmed up and was so positive – she was so happy for us. I was so impressed with her attitude. It shows how close knit this group is.”

Henzy ran the 400-meter leg in 56.38 seconds before Raudabaugh shined in the 800 with a sensational split time of 2:13.14.

Spence ran stride for stride with Adams State sophomore Kristen McGlynn before making her signature kick in the final two laps to win by five seconds.

“I think being here for the fourth straight year and having one of the top DMR squads in the nation is such a special thing,” Spence said. “It means so much to have an All-American relay every year that we've qualified for nationals.”

Sophomore Megan Breski did not record a height in the pole vault competition while senior Jamie McCollum posted an 800-meter time of 2:17.71.