GULF SHORES, Ala. — Xavier University of Louisiana shattered the school record in the women's 1,600-meter relay Friday and qualified for the final at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
     The Gold Nuggets' quartet of Kailey Williams, Kayla Quincy, Chinyere Jones and Clarke Allen produced a time of 3 minutes, 49.87 seconds. Xavier ranked seventh out of 21 teams overall and third in a seven-team second heat.
     Devinn Rolland, Zahri Jackson, Tramaine Shannon and Chartia Hurt set the previous XU mark of 3:54.13 at the LSU Relays in Baton Rouge, La., on March 23, 2013.
     Carroll (Mont.) led all qualifiers in 3:44.89. Two of Xavier's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rivals — Dillard (3:47.67) and SUNO (3:48.24) — ran 3-4.
     The 1,600 relay final will start at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.