Women's race filled for 1st time, team sent home

For the first time in Little 500 history, one women's team did not qualify for April's race.\nAfter having faulted in their previous three attempts, Pi Beta Phi and Gamma Phi Beta took the track for a fourth time at the end of qualifications Saturday. Pi Beta Phi edged Gamma Phi Beta for the last spot in the women's field, posting a time of 3 minutes and 11.383 seconds, compared to Gamma's 3 minutes and 12.989 seconds.\nHad Gamma not faulted in its previous attempts, its time would have been good enough to secure it the 28th position of 33 eligible teams.\nGamma's anchor rider, Robin Glancy, was not allowed to compete in qualifications Saturday because she did not have an IU student ID, forcing one of its riders to complete two laps.\n"It was really hard because we trained for so long," Glancy said. "It's hard to see everyone out there and know we're good enough to do it."\nShe said the team feels like it let down its house and its coach.\nPi Beta Phi rider Jennifer Naye said the nail-biter with Gamma was "probably the most stressful situation ever."\n"I know girls in that house and they practice all year," Naye said. "All their effort put into one day and then it's just taken away from you."\nBoth riders agreed having a full women's field is better for the sport, even if one team has to be cut.\n"It's good to see so many people out there and so many people competing," Glancy said.\nBut that didn't ease her disappointment.\n"It's just sad," she said.