Rio rematches headline Hy-Vee Night at the Drake Relays

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

Programming Note: The 2017 Drake Relays Presented by HyVee will be broadcast live this week in Iowa, as the track action at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa Thursday through Saturday April 27-29 will be shown via a mix of online coverage via USATF.TV and TV coverage. To watch the USATF.TV broadcast, sign up for a RunnerSpace +PLUS subscription. All events from the USATF.TV and NBCSN broadcast windows will be available for on-demand viewing on USATF.TV. 

The Drake Relays got off to a roaring start early in the week, as the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships took place in conjunction with the event’s Grand Blue Mile, as Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy put on a show to win the men’s race, with Katie Mackey surprising to take home the title on the women’s side – Relive the Excitement on USATF.TV

The action continues Friday during the Hy-Vee Night at the Drake Relays, as a variety of all-star match-ups take place across a variety of pro events, while some marquee names take to their respective events, ready to put on a show for the Des Moines crowd.

Olympians Galore in the Women’s 1500

Jenny Simpson was born in Iowa. Those who followed her prep career know she competed in Florida, but a big piece of her heart remains in Iowa, making her a fan favorite in Des Moines. Simpson once again highlights a strong women’s 1,500-meter field, most runners testing their fitness for the first time this outdoor season, but all capable of running something fast.

Simpson, who took home the bronze last summer at the Rio Olympics in the 1,500 is clearly the pre-race favorite. She’s had a quiet start to her 2017, but expect her to come out and not only challenge for the win, but a time close to or under 4:05.

The key challengers, at least on paper, are fellow Olympians Kate Grace, Brenda Martinez and Shelby Houlihan.

Grace, who took a close second to Simpson last year at the Drake Relays, had a career year in 2016. Not only did the California-based runner qualify for Rio in the 800, she also earned a spot in the final. She’s proven herself over 1,500 before and should have no problem starting her outdoor campaign on a high note.

Martinez, who took home a ninth-place finish in the 1,500 at Drake last year, is similar to Grace in that she’s had plenty of success in both the 800 and 1,500 distances. She’ll easily contend for a top-three finish, but the one to really watch here is Houlihan, an Iowa native herself and coming off a big indoor campaign where she claimed USATF indoor mile and 2-mile titles.

Add in Amanda Eccleston, who placed second earlier in the week at the USATF 1-Mile Road Championships, Canadian Nicole Sifuentes and Oklahoma State standout Kaela Edwards and this field is ready to run fast.

A Renewal of a Rivalry in the Men’s 400

LaShawn Merritt and Kirani James have one of the best rivalries in track and field. The two go head to head semi-frequently each season and this year the duo will clash yet again at the Drake Relays. Last year, James edged out Merritt 44.08 to 44.22 in Des Moines, James’ time was the fastest in the world for the season until Merritt ran 43.97 more than two months later.

In Rio, James once again edged Merritt. This time the two ran 43.76 and 43.85, earning silver and bronze behind the magnificent world record race of Wayde Van Niekerk.

Merritt’s gold medal 4x400m relay teammates from Rio, David Verburg and Tony McQuay are also entered, but all eyes will be on Merritt and James, as the two look to renew their epic battles and continue establishing themselves as two of the greatest one-lap runners in history.

Sandi Morris Looks to Continue Her Winning Ways

The reigning Olympic silver medalist got her 2017 outdoor season off to a strong start Wednesday evening, winning the Capital Square Vault, the Drake Relays indoor vault event held at the Capital Square Mall. What a show! 

Morris now sets her sights truly outdoors, taking to the runway Friday night as she goes against a tough field of competition.

Morris, who has established herself as a rising star in the sport, but also one of the very best vaulters of all-time already in her young career, gets a chance to test her early season fitness. While it might be a bit too much to expect her to challenge the current world lead of 15-10 (4.83m) set by fellow American Jenn Suhr two weeks ago, it also shouldn’t surprise anyone if she indeed does go higher.

Christian Taylor Hits the Runway

Coming off his second Olympic gold medal in the men’s triple jump, Christian Taylor continues his 2017 season coming off a modest season opener in California two weeks ago, where he easily won his event with the third-best mark in the world this season with his 56-7.50 (17.26m) effort.

Taylor hits the triple jump runway Friday night, and while it’s a bit too early for the legendary jumper to challenge the 18-meter mark (59-0.75), surpassing the 57-1 (17.40m) world lead of Cuba’s Andy Diaz seems certainly within reason.

Fellow Olympians Chris Benard and Troy Doris, who placed first and third at Drake last year, are also entered, but Taylor is the star of the show for this event until proven otherwise.