By Carter Melrose
Capturing Iowa’s eyes once again, the Drake Relays — now in its 108th year — will run today through April 29.
This event has cash prizes, which entices some of the best professionals around the globe, but it also has glory to be won, which garners the attention of most of the college athletes.
The Hawkeye track team’s goal: Capture as many flags as possible in a great test for Iowa, which will have its outdoor championships season begin in the coming weeks.
Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody knows a thing or two about racing on the Blue Oval.
“I have a long history, even in high school, competing and winning [and] being named Drake athlete of the meet,” he said. “So as athlete, it is a great tradition for me to be able to go there and now being able to coach athletes to go there.”
Each year Iowa produces a significant group of athletes capable of clashing head-to-head with opponents, giving fans the neck-and-neck race they desire.
Just like in years past, senior Aaron Mallett gives Iowa one of its best shots at taking home a title.
With a shaky Drake Relays history and a top-five 110-meter-hurdle time in the country, Mallett might arguably have the most interesting story line of any team heading onto the blue track.
On April 22, Mallett ran a 13.56, landing him atop the Big Ten.
Despite recent success, Hawkeye athletes and coaches still remember his history in the state’s biggest track and field event.
“He’s had some highs and lows at Drake, [and] I think he was running well the year before last and got caught up in a hurdle.” Woody said. “It was wet and rainy, and he unfortunately fell in that race.”
Going to Des Moines, Iowa commands four events with top-10 times in the country.
Record-breaker Brittany Brown highlights the 200 meters, not to mention the 4×400-meter relay (which has torn up the competition all season), and the one-two punch discus throwers in Reno Tuufuli and Laulauga Tausaga.
Tausaga is top 10 in the country in her event as a freshman — the only first-year athlete to garner a top-10 performance in the country.
Though not top 10 in the country, sophomore Mar’yea Harris has been making some noise in his event, the 400 meters. He ranks fourth all-time in Hawkeye history for the event and will try to shave some more time and make history at Drake.
“Being in-state, we always do well there,” Harris said. “Having the backing of the crowd is always fun. When you have the lead for the 4×8 and the crowd is going nuts for the Iowa kids. That’s pretty emotional for us, and our athletes seem to always perform well at Drake.”
After the conclusion of the Drake Relays, the team will celebrate a week off for the first time in more than two months. This will give the Hawkeyes their legs back as they head to the Big Ten Outdoor Championships May 12-14.