Attendance Morning/Afternoon: 9,672 Evening: 10,770 Friday: 20,442 Total Attendance: 26,233 | Weather – High – 58 , Low – 50 8 a.m.: 52 degrees, SE12 mph Noon: 54 degrees, Calm, Light drizzle 3 p.m.: 56 degrees, E 8 mph, Overcast 6 p.m.: 55 degrees, Calm, Overcast 8 p.m.: 51 degrees, E 8 mph, partly cloudy Total Precipitation: 0.09″ |
DRAKE RELAYS RECORDS BROKEN
Men’s Invitational 400
Kirani James, Nike, 44.22. Old record 44.41, Michael Johnson, Nike, 1996.
Women’s Invitational 800
Ajee Wilson, Adidas, 2:00.03. Old record 2:01.68, Suzy Favor Hamilton, Nike, 1998.
Women’s Invitational shuttle hurdle relay
USA Blue, 50.50 (Brianna Rollins, Dawn Harper-Nelson, Queen Harrison, Kristi Castlin). Old record 50.93, USA Red, 2014.
High School Boys Medley Relay
West Des Moines Dowling Catholic 3:26.48 (Cole Deskin, Joe Gorsche, Max Kasap, Ryan Schweizer). Old record 3:26.89, Linn-Mar, 2014.
High School Boys 800 Meters
Ryan Schweizer, West Des Moines Dowling Catholic, 1:52.15. Old record 1:54.62, Carter Lilly, Sioux City East, 2014.
High School Girls 100 Meters
Briyana Carter, Des Moines Roosevelt, 12.13. Tied record set by LaNeisha Waller, Cedar Rapids Washington, 2003.
High Sch
ool Girls 4×200-Meter Relay
Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 1:40.96 (Abilene Ranschau, Jasmine Blue, Morgan Meese, Lucy Schneekloth). Old record 1:41.66, Des Moines Roosevelt, 2012.
WORLD LEADING MARKS
Men’s Invitational 110 Hurdles
Aleec Harris, Adidas, 13.16
Men’s Invitational 400
Kirani James, Nike, 44.22.
Women’s Invitational 800
Ajee Wilson, Adidas, 2:00.03.
Women’s Invitational Shuttle Hurdle Relay
Team Blue, Brianna Rollins, Dawn Harper-Nelson, Queen Harrison, Kristi Castlin, 50.50
Women’s Invitational Pole Vault
Katerina Stefanidi, Nike, 15-5 ½ (4.71m)
A WORLD BEST AND CLOSE TO BOOT
A star-studded hurdling team of Brianna Rollins, Dawn Harper-Nelson, Queen Harrison and Kristi Castlin ran a world best time of 50.50 seconds to win the women’s invitational shuttle hurdle relay. The second-place team also ran 50.50, with Rollins and Co. getting the win by taking those times to three places, 50.495 to 50.500. The second-place team had Tiffany Porter, Jasmin Stowers, Jacqueline Coward and Sharika Nelvis.
THESE GUYS WERE MOVING
Aleec Harris improved his world-leading time in the men’s 110 hurdles in winning the Beijing WC Preview event in 13.16 seconds. The race, run against a slight head wind, produced three of the top six times in the world. Harris, the reigning U.S. indoor champion in the 60 hurdles, had a previous best this year of 13.23. David Oliver was second in 13.19, which moves him to second on the world list. Third-place Andrew Riley is now tied for sixth at 13.32.
Aries Merritt, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, finished fourth in 13.37. Decathlon world record holder Ashton Eaton came in seventh in 13.43.
JOHNSON’S RECORD FINALLY FALLS
World leader Kirani James broke one of the most impressive Drake Relays record of all, winning the Beijing WC Preview 400 to erase Michael Johnson’s name for the record book. James won in 44.22, the best time in the world so far. Johnson set the previous Drake record of 44.41 in 1996 during the leadup to his sensational performance at the Atlanta Olympics. James owned the previous world best of 44.31.
SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Beijing WC Preview women’s pole vault produced a world-leading vault and a mark that would have been a national collegiate record had it not been disallowed. Winner Katerina Stefanidi, a former Stanford athlete from Greece, cleared 15 feet, 5 ½ inches, the top vault in the world this year. Runner-up Demi Payne, a junior at Stephen F. Austin, cleared 15-3 ½, which is better than the current collegiate record of 15-1 ¾. However, it won’t be allowed because it was the second time she competed in a Relays pole vault this week. Payne had jumped in the Court Avenue pole vault on Wednesday. The collegiate record of 15-1 ¾ is held by the third-place finisher in the event, Sandi Morris of Arkansas. Morris, the previous world leader, cleared 14-9 ½.
A DOUBLE FOR DROUIN
2014 Drake Relays champion Derek Drouin became the fifth men’s high jumper in meet history to win multiple crowns in the men’s special invitational high jump, as he won the Beijing World Championship Preview with a clearance of 7-7 ¼. He tied his season-best mark, as he soared 7-7 ¼ in Texas, which ranks as the second-best jump in the world this season. Drouin also became only the third athlete to win back-to-back titles in the event.
THEY CALL HIM BATMAN
Bershawn “Batman” Jackson beat a strong field to win the Beijing WC Preview 400 hurdles in 48.87 conds. That was short of the 48.61 he ran at Baylor earlier this month, which is the No. 2 time in the world, but it was still an impressive victory. Jackson outran a field that included Olympians Michael Tinsley and Javier Culson and 2014 USA champion Johnny Dutch. Tinsley had won the event the last two years. Culson was the Relays champion in 2011 and 2012. Tinsley, a silver medalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics had won his previous five races at Drake Stadium, winning all three races he raced in at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
FAST TIMES IN WOMEN’S 800
The Beijing WC Preview women’s 800 produced the two fastest times in the world this year. Reigning USA outdoor champion Ajee Wilson won the race in 2:00.03 and Brenda Martinez took second in 2:00.51. The previous world best was 2:00.62 by Chanelle Price in Gainesville, Florida, earlier this month. Price placed ninth in tonight race, finishing in 2:03.15.
BARBER’S CLIPPING ALONG
Defending champion Jade Barber of Notre Dame set herself up for a run at another title in the women’s 100 hurdles. Barber ran the fastest time in the preliminaries, winning her heat in 13.39 seconds into a head wind.. She has been an All-American indoors and outdoors and has won hurdling championships in the Big East and ACC. Barber is third on the collegiate list this year with a wind-aided 12.81. Baylor All-American and Big 12 champion Tiffani McReynolds had the second-fastest qualifying time at 13.41.
As the night session got underway, Barber helped Notre Dame win the university 4×200 relay. Barber ran the second as the Irish raced to a 1:34.82 clocking for their second straight victory in the event. Her twin siser Kaila ran the first leg for the Irish, who ran 1:34.54 last year.
DOUBLING THEIR PLEASURE
Oklahoma State picked up its second women’s relay victory of the meet when the Cowboys won the 4×800 in 8:27.88. Natalja Piliusina, a senior from Lithuania, anchored the victory after running the anchor on the winning 4×1600 relay team on Thursday. She’s expected the anchor the distance medley on Saturday.
STRONG OPENER FOR ARKANSAS HURDLER
Arkansas’ Omar McLeod opened his outdoor season in the 110 hurdles with a solid run. McLeod, the NCAA indoor 60 hurdles champion this year, won his preliminary heat in 13.80 seconds to lead all qualifiers. McLeod easily could have run faster, but he pulled up and coasted the final 10 meters.
SOLON THROWER DOES IT AGAIN
Shelby Gunnells of Solon repeated her title in the high school girls shot put with a throw of 45 feet, 5 ½ inches. That’s the best mark at the Relays since 2009. She’s the fifth thrower to win back-to-back championships in the event. Gunnells is the season leader with a throw of 47 feet.
ST. THOMAS TOPPLES AUGIE IN WOMEN’S DMR
St. Thomas dethroned Augustana of South Dakota in the college women’s distance medley relay. The Tommies won in 11:49.12 to beat Augustana to the finish. Augustana, the champion three of the past four years, ran 11:50.09. It was the second Relays title in the event for St. Thomas, which also won in 2009.
SLIGHT CARRIES BOONE TO COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN
Dianna Slight’s strong anchor carried Boone to a come-from-behind victory in the high school girls distance medley relay. Slight passed Cedar Rapids Jefferson star Jasmine Blue in the final 30 meters to bring Boone to the finish in 1:46.43. That moves the Toreadores to 11th on the state’s all-time list as Slight anchored in 55.5 seconds. Pleasant Valley was second in 1:46.73 and Jefferson third in 1:46.87.
THOSE MOVIN’ MAROONS
West Des Moines Dowling Catholic’s Ryan Schweizer ran an impressive anchor 800 to carry to the Maroons to a meet record in the boys sprint medley relay. Schweizer got the baton in third place and ran his leg in 1:49.7 to bring Dowling home in 3:26.48, which ranks fifth on the state’s all-time list. Linn-Mar set the old record of 3:26.89 last year.
TWICE AS NICE
A little more than three hours after the medley, Schweizer put his name in the record book again, winning the boys 800 in 1:52.15. That broke the record of 1:54.62 set last year by Sioux City East’s Carter Lilly. This is the fifth year the boys have run the 800 at Drake. Schweizer is the first non-senior to win it. Runner-up Daniel Chan of Ames (1:53.87) and third-place finisher Jay Wolfe of Creston (1:54.32) also ran faster than the previous record.
WHOA NELSON
Erik Nelson of Waukee unleashed a massive heave of 187-8 on his final attempt to win the boys discus. It was the best winning throw since 2008, and it marks the 15th straight year the event has had a different winner. Nelson’ s triumph marked the first time a Waukee thrower won the boys discus in the history of the event, which began in 1943.
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN FOR JENKS
Stephanie Jenks of Linn-Mar picked up her second victory of the 2015 Relays, winning the high school girls 800 in 2:09.64. It was the seventh Drake Relays championship for Jenks, a junior, and her time ranks No. 7 on the state’s all-time list. She won the 3,000 on Thursday and will run the 400 hurdles and 1,500 on Saturday.
THE STREAK GOES ON
Oklahoma Baptist stretched its Drake Relays winning streak to three in the college men’s 4×800 relay, putting up a time of 7:31.73 with senior Clay Shepperson on the anchor. Shepperson also anchored the Bison’s victories in the event in 2013 and 2014. They’ve now won the race five times in the last 10 years.
HE LIKES THE DRAKE RUNWAY
Clear Lake’s Chandler Diercks continues to shine in the long jump at Drake Stadium. Diercks, the favorite going in, won his second straight Drake Relays title with a leap of 22-8 ½. He also has won the last two Class 3A state championships in the Drake jumping area.
FRANKLIN’S MINT PERFORMANCE
Ohio State’s Alexis Franklin became just the second repeat champion in the university-college women’s 400 hurdles. Franklin outran Big Ten rival Montayla Holder of Iowa to win in 57.40 seconds, the No. 9 collegiate time in the country this year. The only other repeat champion in the event is Alabama’s Beau Walker in 2004 and 2005.
CARTER CONTINUES ROOSEVELT’S STREAK
Des Moines Roosevelt’s Briyana Carter tied a high school girls 100 dash record, winning in 12.13. Carter, a junior for the Roughriders, earned Roosevelt’s eighth 100 meters crown, the most by any school in the event, and the program’s fifth-straight title in the event. During the Roughriders’ streak in the 100, four different girls have claimed victories on the Blue Oval.
A BLOW FOR THE LITTLE GUYS
Isaiah Trousil of West Burlington/Notre Dame became the first runner from a small school to win the high school boys 100 in 21 years.Trousil outran his rivals to win in 11.95. The last runner from a small school to win the event was Randy Thompson, who raced to victories in 1994 and 1995 for Corwith-Wesley-Luverne. Thompson later ran at Iowa State.
WAYLAND LEADS THE WAY
Wayland Baptist, out of Plainview, Texas, won its second-straight women’s 4×200 relay college crown, crossing the line in 1:36.20. Wayland Baptist is one only four schools to win the 4×200 college title, as Lincoln (Mo.) has won eight titles, Oklahoma Baptist has claimed two titles, while Lindenwood has claimed one victory in the event.
WAYLAND LEADS THE WAY
In the men’s college distance medley relay, Wayland Baptist won its third event of the Drake Relays, finishing the race in 10:03.03. Running the 1600-meter anchor leg for the Pioneers was Benard Keter, who showed off
his versatility after winning the men’s 10,000 meters on Thursday night in 29:34.75.
LINCOLN LOGS ANOTHER WIN
LIncoln (Mo.) won its fifth men’s 4×200 relay college title in the past 10 years with a time of 1:25.57, to edge Minnesota State, who finished second in 1:25.91. The Blue Tigers won three titles from 2009-11, and also won the 2006 event. Lincoln has nine total 4×200 titles, with its first win coming in 1975.
JEFFERSON’S WINNING FOURSOME
Running the same foursome that won the Class 4A state championship last year, Cedar Rapids Jefferson brooke the Relays record and put up the No. 2 time in state history in winning the girls 4×200 relay. The J-Hawks blazed to a 1:40.96 clocking, just shy of the 1:40.94 a Jefferson team logged in 2013. The old Relays record was 1:41.66 by Des Moines Roosevelt in 2012. Abilene Ranschau, Jasmine Blue, Morgan Meese and Lucy Schneekloth ran on the winning team. That same quartet finished second at Drake last year. This year’s runner-up, Waukee (1:41.18), also bettered the old record.
RAZORBACKS LOOKING GOOD
Arkansas led the qualifying in the university women’s 4×400 with one of the best times in the world. The Razorbacks won their heat in 3:31.77. That’s the third-fastest collegiate time this year and ranks fifth in the world.
IRISH SAVIOR
A sizzling anchor by senior Chris Giesting gave Notre Dame the last spot in Saturday’s finals in the university 4×400 relay. Giesting sped around the blue oval in an eye-opening 45-flat to help the Irish finish in 3:08.42, fast enough to edge Arkansas for the final spot. Giesting is an All-American in the 400 and just missed making the finals at the NCAA indoor meet this year. Illinois ran the fastest qualifying time, 3:05.63.
CENTRAL MISSOURI DOUBLES UP
Central Missouri State, coached by Drake Relays Hall of Famer Kip Janvrin, picked up a couple of victories in women’s field events. Erika Kinsey, a 27-year-old redshirt freshman from Sweden, cleared 6-½ to win the high jump. Kinsey was the European Junior high jump champion in 2007 and starred at this year’s NCAA Division II indoor meet, winning the high jump and triple jump and finishing fourth in the long jump. Teammate Heavin Warner won the discus with a throw of 178-2.
OLE (MISS) RELIABLE
With Mississippi freshman Brooke Feldmeier’s win in the women’s 800 meters, the Rebels have won a title at the past 10 Drake Relays. The women’s program has won 20 individual titles, while the men have won five.
//////////
FRIDAY QUOTES
8:30 a.m. -Shot Put- HS Girls Final
Champion
Shelby Gunnells, Sr., Solon, 45-05.50
Going into her final throw
“I know last year I was 4th heading into the final and I had to get somewhere, but here I was a little more relaxed, less pressure, so it was good.”
9:00 a.m. -Discus- HS Boy Final
Champion
Erik Nelson, Sr., Waukee, 187-08
On winning:
“I definitely never dreamed that I would be a Drake champion, not even in my wildest ones so it is kind of surreal for me”
“I was sitting at a 156 out of last year so I never thought I would be able to jump to a 187 or compete with the guy from last year.”
9:32 a.m. – 100 Hurdles – UD/CD Women Prelims
Jade Barber, Sr., Notre Dame, 13.39 (Defending Relays Champion)
On running the best qualifying time in the 100 hurdles:
“I’m healthy. I was a little nervous. I always get a little scared. My only concern was finishing because that way I don’t focus on my competitors too much. My coach gets mad at me for saying this…but my goals are always to break 14 seconds that way regardless of what I do I’m always happy.”
9:45 a.m. – 110 Hurdles – UD/CD Men Prelims
Omar McLeod, So., Arkansas, 13.80 (Fastest qualifying time)
On opening up his outdoor season with the Drake Relays:
“Coach told me to go out there and play it safe…try to finish healthy and that’s what I did. My goal is to run sub 13.5 this weekend. I’m feeling good and look forward to running 4×100 and 4×200 relays as well.”
10:00 a.m. – Distance Medley Relay- CD Women Final
Champion- St. Thomas- 11:49:12
Megan Terukina, Jr., Erica Tipp, Sr., Kayla Goeman, Sr., Emily Gapinski, Jr.
Erica Tipp, 2nd leg
On goals for the season:
“Hopefully make it to nationals, to continue to get better and motivate each other. We’re all pretty close knit.”
Kayla Goeman 3rd Leg
Talking about going into the race:
“We knew what we had to do in indoors, and we knew we had a target on our back here, and we just wanted to run hard and see how it all played out.”
Emily Gapinski, Anchor leg
On the race:
“When I first went out it looked like they were pretty far ahead, we all went out really strong but as the race went on I kept feeling stronger and stronger. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
10:14 a.m. – 800 Medley Relay- HS Girls Final
Champion- Boone-1:46.43
Payton Lyons, Jr., Breann Aspengren, Sr., Bailey Schminke, Sr., Dianna Swanson, So.,
Slight
On winning the race:
“I couldn’t believe it, our team did so good, we pushed so hard. I knew it was going to be close so we had to give it everything we had.”
10:27 a.m. – 1600 Meter Relay- HS Boys Final
Champion- Dowling- 3:26.48
Cole Deskin, So., Joe Gorsche, Sr., Max Kasap, Sr., Ryan Schweizer, Jr.
Cole Deskin, 1st leg
On his leg:
“I just tried to get out to a good start, really keep my speed high, and try to get a good hand-off to shave as many seconds off our time as possible.”
On being at the Drake Relays
“It means a lot to us. We worked hard to get to this point and it means a lot that it paid off.”
Joe Gorsche, 2nd leg
On his leg:
“I saw Cole get off to a good start and thought that we just had to get a good hand-off and get in a good position to move up.”
Max Kasap, 3rd leg
On winning
“Last year my older sister was here trying to get a flag so now I just kind of want to rub it in her face. For Dowling, it’s the first win in a long time so it shows how hard we’ve been working.”
Ryan Schweizer, Anchor
On winning:
“My family comes here every year and we’ve been watching for so long, so now it’s finally my turn to make the family proud.”
10:45 a.m. – 4×800 Meter Relay- CD Men Final
Champion- Oklahoma Baptist – 7:31:73
Travis Hinton, Sr., Jywayne Allen, Sr., Ayoub Akil, Fr., Clay Shepperson, Sr.
Hinton
On what it feels like to be a Drake Champion:
“This is our third time to do it in a row. We’ve been told this is the first time since 55 years ago (for a school to consecutively win the Men’s 4×800 three times). It feels really nice, especially since it’s my senior year, it’s a good way to go out.”
Allen
On preparation:
“I came in hurting, so I just basically did a whole lot of warming up.”
Akil
On goals for the rest of the season:
“To win the 800 meters outdoor, but it’s going to be hard because Clay Shepperson is going to be running it too.”
Shepperson
On thoughts during the race:
“Usually we get pretty far ahead, so I was a little scared. Then at the end of the race a guy from Wartburg almost passed me and I just kicked with whatever I had left. It was just kinda willpower at that point.”
11:25 a.m. – Distance Medley Relay- CD Men Final
Champion – Wayland Baptist- 10:03.03
Cameron Woodberry, So., De’Vion Simpson, So., Andre Hosey, Jr., Benard Keter, So. Third leg
Hosey- 3rd leg
On giving anchor the baton:
“I got out there and I executed, my team executed and when I gave it to him, all we had to do was finish strong.”
Keter-Anchor
On thoughts as he ended the race:
“I definitely was nervous, but I knew I had to keep pushing.”
11:36 a.m. – 100-Meter Hurdles- HS Girls Final
Champion
Mallory Vawter, Sr., BCU-LW, 14.97
On thoughts before the race:
“I just gotta do what I can, and use what I got.”
On goals for the rest of the season:
“I don’t know, I’m way over the expectations that I thought I would be right now. I guess I’ll go home and make some new goals after this.”
11:40 a.m. – 100-Meter Hurdles – HS Boys Final
Champion
Connor Ham, Sr., Solon, 14.31
On thoughts before the race:
“When the rain was coming down, I was getting a little anxious, but luckily the win was right there for me and I took it.”
On feelings after the race:
“It feels good but I know that I’m definitely not done. I know that this really isn’t a very important meet, the most important one is state, which is coming up, so that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
12:08 p.m. – 400-Meter Hurdles- UD/CD Womens Final
Champion
Alexis Franklin, Jr., Ohio State, Time: 57.40
On winning her second-straight title
“It’s so nice to be a two-time champion now, defending my title. Honestly, I was pretty neutral since the start of the race, I was just trying to get my head right and I did exactly what my coaches told me to do.”
12:21 p.m. – 100 Meter Dash- HS Girls Final
Champion
Briyana Carter, Jr., Des Moines Roosevelt, 12.13
On thoughts before the race:
“I was so nervous. I just wanted to win this so bad. I’ve been waiting for this for the past three years.”
On tying the record set in 2003:
“That was my one and only goal for today, I didn’t care about the competition, it was about myself.”
On the prelims earlier in the day:
“I didn’t place the way I wanted to, but I knew what I had to do for the finals.”
12:30 p.m. -Pole Vault- UD/CD Men Final
Champion
Andrew Irwin, Sr., Arkansas, 5.32 m
On the rain:
“We came out today, and it was raining and it wasn’t the best conditions to jump in, so we kind of just bided our time and passed out a few bars and hoped we could catch when it stopped raining.”
On his jump:
“I’ll take the win. It wasn’t a great day, but I’ll take it.”
How this year compares to last:
“It would have been really good if it wouldn’t have rained. I did win, though, so that’s new as well. It was a decent day, so I’ll take the win.”
12:38 p.m. – 100 Meter Dash- HS Boys Final
Champion
Isaiah Trousil, So.,
West Burlington/Notre Dame, 10.95
On his start:
“I got off to a great start. I’ve really been working on my hip the last few days trying to recover from that injury. I did feel like I came up too quick to start though.“
On winning the race:
“It’s crazy. I’ve been working on this all year. I just can’t believe it. I’m speechless.”
On the team’s success:
“It’s been a great year for the team. We’ve done a great job.“
12:43 p.m. – 100 Meters- UD/CD Men Qualifying
John Teeters, Jr., Oklahoma State, who was 2nd in 60 at 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships, ran 10.44 which ranked second in qualifying prelims:
“I feel good. I just got down with a heavier cycle of training. So my legs are just now starting to come back up under me. I didn’t get out very well and I think it was because i just ran the 4×100 relay about an hour ago. My transition was good and my finish was very good. In my season opener I ran a 10.20 and had a good start but an awful last 40 (meters). Today it kind of just switched on me. But everything is good…just a work in progress.”
12:55 p.m. – 800 Meters- Masters Men Final
Champion
Gerald Kubiak, Unattached, 2:09.43
On the rainy conditions:
“It was calm by Drake standards. The timing of the rain was a little odd right before the race but it wasn’t anything that wasn’t expected. All in all I was happy with the conditions.”
On being at the Drake Relays:
“This is the fifth year that I’ve come here from Pennsylvania and I had won three times previously. I decided that the schedule and training was taking it’s toll a little bit and this was going to be my last go around.”
“I brought my dad for the first time so it was special to go out with a win and for him to see it.”
“Penn Relays is everything that it’s made out to be, but this is such a unique meet. I tell everyone it’s like the Penn Relays but everyone is nice.”
1:00 p.m. -High Jump- UD/CD Women Final
Champion
Erika Kinsey, freshman from Sweden, University of Central Missouri, won with a leap of 6-0-½ inches
On winning a Drake Relays title:
“I won the European Junior Championships in either 2007 or 2008. This is my biggest win since. I won the Division II national indoor this year. I’m happy because the weather was hard to jump. I always want to jump higher, but it was cold and slippery. My personal best is 1.91 meters which is 6-3. I did 1.90 early this year.”
On how she ended up in the United States:
“A guy and I’m married. I’m an old freshman (27 years old).”
1:00 p.m. -Discus- UD/CD Women Final
Champion
Heavin Warner, Jr., Central Missouri, 54.32 m/178-2
Expectations coming in to the Drake Relays:
“I definitely wasn’t expecting to win that’s for sure.”
On today’s performance:
“The first two flights the ring was full of water, so that might have thrown off the competition a little bit. My first throw was my best throw in those conditions, so I’ll take it.”
1:01 p.m. – 4×200 Meter Relay- CD Women Final
Champion-Wayland Baptist- 1:36.20
Rochene Smith, Fr., Gregria Higgs, Sr., Bianca Farrington, Jr., Alexis Browner, Sr.
Browner, Anchor
On the race
“We came and we wanted to keep our title, so we came and did what we could. It started raining really hard, but we pushed and did the best we could.”
On having success at a large meet
“It means a lot to us. We’re not up there with the bigger divisions, but we showed them that we can also perform just like the other divisions can.”
Higgs, 2nd leg
On being a Drake Relays champion
“It feels pretty well. This is my first time being a part of this team and my first time at Drake, so I feel really excited.”
Farrington, 3rd leg
On being a Drake Relays champion
“It feels pretty good. We came here pretty excited about the meet. It’s my first time here, so I was pretty excited about it.”
On the race
“It’s my first 200 for the year, so I was going to go in there and help my teammates win.”
Smith, 1st leg
On the race
“The stagger was quite a bit big, but what I did was try to close up the gap for the rest of my teammates to carry on the race, which they did, because we turned out to be the champion.”
1:13 p.m. – 4×200 Meter Relay- CD Men Final
Champion- Lincoln (Mo.)- 1:25.57
Miguel Barton, SO, Wesley Best, JR, Roger Blake, JR, Romone Hill, SR
Blake, Anchor
On the race:
“Our teammates had a game plan. Just take a lead from the start, and we did that.”
Best, 1st leg
On the race plan:
“The main thing is just execution, you got the first leg guy over there and just forget about the weather.”
1:25 p.m. – 4×200 Meter Relay- HS Girls Final
Champion- Cedar Rapids Jefferson set new meet record time of 1:40.96.
Abilene Ranschau, Jr; Jasmine Blue, Jr; Morgan Meese, Sr; and Lucy Schneekloth, Sr.
Schneekloth, Anchor
On winning the relay:
“It’s so good. We worked so hard and it’s surreal. We’re really excited.”
Meese, 3rd leg
On running in the drizzle:
”This is J-hawk weather. Running in the rain gets us focused. Other teams can’t deal with this. We’ve been outside since November working for this.’It’s our first relays title since my mom ran in 1986. It’s long overdue and we’ve put the time.”
1:30 p.m. -Long Jump- UD/CD Men Final
Champion
Eric Bertelsen, Unattached, 25-3.25
On how it feels to be a Drake Champion.
“Awesome. Its the first time. I’ve been in the top three too many times, and I’m glad to finally make it to the top place.”
On competing at the Drake Relays throughout his career.
“I’ve been here all through high school, all through college, and a few years unattached and finally getting that first place. So yeah, it feels pretty good.”
On what was going through his head before the jump.
“Trying to make that big jump. Trying to get there. As soon as I get there, there will be more improvement still to do, but it will come.”
1:37 p.m. – 4×200 Meter Relay – HS Boys Final
Champion – Cedar Falls- 1:29.74
Matt Turcotte, Sr., Denison Harrington, Jr., Hunter Lavallee, Jr., TreyShawn LaBeaux, Fr.
Turcotte, 1st leg
On winning a Drake Relays title:
“All glory goes to God. We used the skills we had and all the glory goes to God for giving us this opportunity.”
Harrington, 2rd leg
On winning a Drake Relays title after watching his brother, James, win events:
“I’ve seen my big brother break records and carry around flags. I wanted to be like my big brother.”
Lavallee, 3rd leg
On winning the relay:
“It’s a dream come true.”
On Cedar Falls Anchor freshman TreyShawn LaBeaux
“Before this season started we knew TreyShawn was going to be insane for us. We watched him in eighth grade and he was a real competitor. He has so much heart.”
1:49 p.m. – 800 Meters- HS Girls Final
Champion
Stephanie Jenks, Jr., Linn-Mar, 2:09.64
On the race:
“I just run with my instincts, so if I see a gap, I just take advantage of. I usually just go for it. The pace was a lot of surging then stopping abruptly, surging, stopping abruptly, as people were trying to shifts gears and shift leaders and once they let up, I scored my way through.”
On running a half mile:
“I was so nervous going into this.I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s race, but this morning I woke up and was literally counting down the hours.”
1:55 p.m. – 800 Meters- HS Boys Final
Champion
Ryan Schweizer, Jr., Dowling Catholic, 1:52.15 (Meet Record)
On the finish of his race:
“Daniel Chan has a great kick and I knew that. A lot of guys on this field have some great speeds. And I wanted to get out early today. It didn’t come down till the last hundred meters or so.”
2:01 p.m. – 800 Meters- UD/CD Women Final
Champion
Brooke Feldmeier, Fr., Mississippi, 2:05.96
On being a Drake Relays champion:
“It’s really exciting. I’m super happy about it.”
On the Drake Relays:
“It’s awesome. It’s super exciting. There’s a lot of people, so I t
hink it just gets you pumped up.”
On motivation:
“I just wanted to be the best there is and I wanted to prove that to my school and make everyone happy.”
6:00 p.m. -High Jump- BWCP Men Final
Champion
Derek Drouin, Nike, 7-7 1/4
On the conditions
“I’ve been looking at the forecast for the last couple days and was expecting the absolute worst, so this was a pretty nice surprise actually.”
On winning at the Drake Relays
“Yah that was nice! I think it was a little more exciting last year, but a win is a win. And this early in the season, I will definitely take it.”
6:15 p.m. -BWCP Women Final
Champion
Katerina Stefanidi, Nike, 15-5.50
On the weather
“It was a bit difficult during warmups and I was dealing with a few health issues but as the meet went on it calmed down.”
“I’m really happy, I finally won the Drake Relays!”
Second Place
Demi Payne, Jr., Stephen F. Austin, 15-3.5
“Competing in the street vault was a confidence booster finally getting over the 15-foot barrier so I felt really good. I used my small poles downtown and I was on my longer ones today. I knew if I could just crank back on it I knew I could jump high.I was elated when I finally cleared 4.66m (15-3.5). It had been forever. People had been hyping up that I hadn’t been vaulting good. But that vault showed I’m on my rise and its coming together.”
Third Place
Sandi Morris, Sr., Arkansas, 14-9.50
“I felt like I was in a funk today. I really haven’t been able to get into a groove yet this outdoor season. I still feel like I’m just getting started. I’m going to hit it hard in practice and hope to get ready for the next meet. I’ve been dealing with a little minor knee pain…You just want to peek at the right times and you have to have theses meets in order to really have the good ones. You have to take some to get some. I just want to go out there and do the best I can every time I compete. Today just wasn’t my day but I’m going to keep on fighting.”
6:30 p.m. – 4×200 Meter Relay- UD Women Final
Champion – Notre Dame- 1:34.82
Kaila Barber, Jr., Jade Barber, Sr., Parker English, Fr., Margaret Bamgbose, Jr.,
Kaila Barber, First Leg
On Race:
“I think we had a good start, I’m pretty impressed with us.”
Jade Barber, Second Leg
On running as a group:
“I think we did really well because we never ran this relay together as a 4×200, we always ran it as a 4×100.”
English, Third Leg
On running at Drake:
“This was my first time here at Drake and I think my race went well, it was a good time.”
Bamgbose, Anchor
On race:
“We didn’t really get to practice as a 4×200, so I think overall it was good because we all went out there and did our
best.”
6:45 p.m. – 4×200 Meter Relay- UD Men Final
Champion – Arkansas- 1:22.66
Omar McLeod, Jarrison Lawson, Kenzo Cotton, Marqueze Washington
Omar McLeod, first leg
On the race
“My leg went great, we had just ten minutes to warm up and we didn’t want to pull anything we wanted to play it safe.”
“We are a team that work together, pray together, and stay together and we came out ready to win.”
Marqueze Washington, anchor
On the race
“The race went pretty good, we were a little scared because we only had ten minutes to warm up for it.”
“Once I got my stick and was running, I saw my team bring it and I knew all I had to do was finish it.”
Kenzo Cotton, third leg
On being a Drake champion
“It feels pretty great to be a Drake champion, especially since it was my first year.”
On the crowd
“The crowd was great, especially after we won and we came in here and they started cheering for us.”
Jerrison Lawson, second leg
On running with the team
“My team had my back and we plan on going to get this 4X100 championship tomorrow.”
7:03 p.m. – Shuttle Hurdle – Special Women Final
Champion: Blue Team – 50.50
Kristi Castlin, Queen Harrison, Dawn Harper-Nelson, Brianna Rollins
Dawn Harper-Nelson, second leg
“It was a great finish. Kristi (Castlin) did a great job bringing it home for us. I’m still trying to comprehend what just happened, but I truly enjoyed myself. It was first time ever doing this. Walking over, the girls had to tell me, ‘Okay, when I cross this line, you have to go,’ so it was just fun to race with other amazing hurdlers.'”
On this being her first shuttle experience
“No, I have not done a shuttle hurdle. It really was brand new for me. To be at this point in my career, to do something I have never done before is just unique, and I really enjoyed that Brian put this together.”
Kristi Castlin, anchor leg
“My blocks kind of slipped, so I was a little nervous, but my last part of my race is always so good, so I really stayed focused and ran off the last hurdle. I was happy that the ladies did such a great job in the beginning, and I did not want to let them down.
Leaning across the finish
“I knew it was very close, and like I said after hurdle five, I knew I really had to dig deep and really get my feet down. I was just so excited. I really know how to execute the last two or three hurdles of the race very well, so I just relied on that.”
On competing in a unique event
“It’s so fun. It takes the pressure off. It’s good to be able to compete with some of the ladies you always compete against. We set a world record today, a world best, so it was was a great event.”
Queen Harrison, third leg of relay
“Brianna (Rollins) and I were on the winning team last year so this was fun. The biggest thing was letting them (teammates) know when to go because you have to eye them to know when to get them to set. It was Dawn’s (Harper-Nelson) first time so it was kind of cool. Even though she is the veteran of the group we still had to school her. This was my first race of outdoor season and it was good.”
“I would like to see the shuttle hurdle relay added to the World Relays in the Bahamas. America has the strongest hurdlers. I know no other country wants to go against us but we still need to add it to World Relay.”
7:13 p.m. – 110- Meter Hurdles- BWCP Men Final
Champion
Aleec Harris, adidas, 13.16
”It was a good race, a star-studded field. My focus was to get out as fast as I can. At the last hurdle. I ran as fast as I could.
Asked about winning
”It means a lot. There was a lot of pressure, knowing who was all in the field. To get a win this early means a lot.”
Second Place
David Oliver, USA,13.19
“I made some mistakes and really messed up, but I’m just happy to be healthy. That was my third race of season and I ran faster just now than I did all last season. So I’m just elated and ready to defend my title (World Championships) in four months time.”
“Nationals is going to be tough but I look forward to competing against these guys as usual. I took three months off recovering from my injury last year … So I’m just trying to get my rhythm back but I feel like things are going in right direction. It just takes some time.
“I look forward to running shuttle hurdle Saturday. I would like to see that event in the World Relays because so many other countries have great hurdlers like Great Britain, China, France, Jamaica. We would like to be out there representing the U.S.”
7:24 p.m. – 400 Meter Dash- BWCP Men Final
Champion
Kirani James, Nike, 44.22
On the race
“I thought it was a very competitive field. I think all these guys did a really good job of coming in and competing for the fans.
So, I’m very happy with my time, the competition, and the overall performance.”
On the conditions
“You can’t control the conditions, because everyone is in it. You just have to buckle down and run, and run for the fans.”
On being the world leader
“With the degree of competition, you kind of expect that you have to run near to your season best to come out with a win.”
7:36 p.m. – 400-Meter Hurdles – BWCP Men Final
Champion
Bershawn Jackson, Unattached, 48.87
On being the last entry
“I’m passionate about track and field, so to be the last entry is a bit disappointing. Overall, I love this meet. It’s a great meet, great sponsor. I love everything about Des Moines. I actually ran my second fastest season best here. I love this track and it’s such a great place to get my confidence back, so everything is worth it.
On His Journey to Relays:
“It’s emotional for me because last year, I thought it was the end of Batman. I thought I was going to retire. It was so hard last year. I cried and I cried and I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. For me to come out here and make that transition and be back on top and to overcome that adversity feels great. It’s such a great feeling to be back running and in good form and actually being relevant.”
2nd Place
Michael Tinsley, Adidas, 49.39
On his race:
“I felt mentally pretty good. My training has been going well. The conditions were a little tough today. So I think I attacked the race a little too aggressively and should have saved a little more for home to fight.
On his goal:
My goal was to run under 49 but I didn’t execute my race well. But all in all it was a good season opener.”
7:44 p.m. – 4×800 Meter Relay – UD Women Final
Champion- Oklahoma State- 8:27.88
Savannah Camacho, So., Kaylee Dodd, Fr., Natalja Piliusina, Sr., Kaela Edwards, Sr.
Camacho, first leg
On Race:
“I was really excited to go. We have great team chemistry on the warm up. We were all just really pumped and I was feeding off of everyone’s energy. I just love being out there and competing.”
Kaylee Dodd, second leg
On Race:
“I think the race went well, coach said to just go out and don’t panic and be calm and I think I did that.”
On being a Drake Relays Champion
“Being a Relays champion is awesome, it’s my first time here and it feels good.”
Kaela Edwards, third leg
On being a Relays Champion:
“It’s super exciting to be a champion and be here with the girls. I always love being on a relays team. This is my first time here at Relays and I think we will be coming back and it will be a lot of fun.”
Natalja Piliusina, SR, Anchor
On Race:
“These girls gave me me quite a big lead so I knew that I would have to stay composed and do my job and then we will have the win. I think I went a little too hard on the first lap, I was a little too excited and I paid for it in the last 200 but overall I think it was a good performance.”
8:00 p.m. – 800 Meters- BWCP Women Final
Champion – Ajee Wilson, adidas, 2:00.03
Asked about the conditions
“It wasn’t all that well’ but I train in Philly year around. ‘Coming out of the start, it was a weird start. Once I got the lead, I tried to control the race. I’m way ahead of where I was last year.”
Asked about coming to Drake over Penn Relays
“I like coming here. It’s a great experience. I’ll be back next yea
r. It’s like a national meet. It’s a good start to see where I’m at.”
Second-place finisher – Brenda Martinez, New Balance, 2:00.51
On her overall race:
“I didn’t know what the pacing was but I trying to stick to front and be a stride behind For most part I executed most of my plan. I just ran out of real estate the last 100 meters. I gave it my all.”
On the conditions:
“I was prepared for any type of weather. But I felt really warm at the line. It was just a really odd start. I had never done a waterfall start in a professional race. So that was new and definitely a lot more contact.”
On her thoughts about her time:
“I opened my track season last week (2:00.83, Mt. SAC Relays). So this is the earliest I’ve ever opened up. So I can’t complain about my times.
Sixth Place – Shelby Houlihan, Arizona State, 2:02.03
Houlihan was an 11-time state champion at East High School in Sioux City, Iowa
“Everyone was trying to run fast. It was a lot more competitive and hard to move up through the fed because everyone is trying to do same thing at the same time.”
On running in last Drake Relays as collegian …
“I wish I was able to run as a freshman, sophomore or junior here.. But I’m lucky to be able come back as a senior and perform now and I’m hopeful of coming back in future..Everyone was rooting for me – the coolest feeling. This was a special environment tonight.”
8:00 p.m. – Paralympic T44 200 Meter- Special Men Final
Champion
Richard Browne, USA, 21.93
“My first 120 was really good, we’ve been practicing that with Coach Dennis Mitchell, so I’m happy with that part of my race. That cold and that wind kind of took over after that, but I’m just happy to come out here to Drake. So thank you to Brian Brown, thank you to the Iowa crowd for coming out here and supporting us. This is the first time the Paralympics has been on such a big stage, and it’s really cool that we showed the U.S. and the world that the Paralympics are great athletes besides our stories, but we come out there to compete.
David Brown – 3rd place Paralympic 200m
“It was an honor to be able to run head-to-head with these guys. It’s great to be out here at the Drake Relays and be out representing as well as I did. I feel it was a great experience and a great opportunity. I’m hoping that I get another shot and improve on what we did.”
Jerome Avery – guide to David Brown
“It was an awesome experience, and I thank Brian Brown for the invite. Drake Relays is awesome, and it’s good for the Paralympic athletes to get this exposure and get to run in front of America, which is something we don’t get to do very often.”
8:15 p.m. – 4×800 Meter Relay- UD Men Final
Champion- Loyola- 7:25
(Anchor) Sam Penzenstalder, Sr., (2nd) Peter Archibald, Jr., (1st) Jake Mezankie, Jr., (3rd) Ryan Vanportfleet, Senior
Sam Penzenstalder
On winning the Drake Relays
“It’s a blessing we’ve been training together for the past four years, working hard and that once we’re both seniors we’re going to win. Crossing the line with the team was a ten times better feeling. We set an outdoor school record and I think it’s going to stay a while with two seniors graduating despite two junior superstars.”
-DRAKE-
