Hurdle talent set to reign supreme on the final day of action

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.

Sixty-eight Olympians, 30 owning Olympic medals, are on the start lists this week at the Drake Relays, and while Friday night’s action is special, Saturday’s top contests are even better.

Highlighting the top pro events Saturday are the men’s 110-meter hurdles and women’s 100-meter hurdles. In both events there are out-of-this-world matchups, including the reigning men’s Olympic gold medalist and the women’s world record holder.

See what fans will get excited for, whether that be watching in-person or watching on USATF.TV.

McLeod vs. Merritt in the Men’s 110-meter Hurdles

The reigning Olympic gold medalist Omar McLeod of Jamaica is poised for another big season. After running through the competition all season long in 2016, McLeod is ready to hit the ground running, but he’ll have his hands full with another top field in the men’s 110 hurdles.

Last year, McLeod broke the vaunted 13-second barrier for the first time, running 12.97, a time that leaves him just outside of becoming a top 10 performer of all-time in the event. Clearly the young Jamaican is looking to lower his personal best this year, and while it seems hard pressed he’ll get to do that at Drake, he will receive a great early season challenge.

McLeod’s top challenger on paper is Aries Merritt. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist also owns the world record in the 110 hurdles of 12.80. Although Merritt failed to make the Olympic team in 2016, he’s back running strong this season and seems fully capable of challenging McLeod for the win in Des Moines.

Add to the mix a trio of 2016 Olympians in Andrew Riley, Johnathan Cabral and Andrew Pozzi, as well as top Americans Aleec Harris, Spencer Adams and Jarret Eaton, and the Drake Relays 110 hurdle event is set to be the best clash of talent seen in the event yet this season.

Harrison Looks for Redemption Against Olympians

In most respects, 2016 was a banner year for Keni Harrison. The 100-meter hurdler won the IAAF Diamond League title, set the world record and owned eight of the nine fastest times on the year. Despite all that, Harrison missed making Team USA, thus missed an opportunity to come away with a gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

Harrison’s ‘Year of Redemption’ is already off to a fast start, as the former University of Kentucky standout ran the three fastest 60-meter hurdle times of the indoor season, then opening up her outdoor schedule with a 12.54 winning effort at the Texas Relays.

Although Harrison will be hard pressed to come close to her 12.20 world record set last year, she’s once again driven to crush the competition and run some eye-opening times.

Harrison comes to Des Moines as the heavy favorite, but she’ll be facing two-time Olympic medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Kristi Castlin, and Olympians Queen Harrison, Cindy Ofili and Tiffany Porter.

Reese vs. Ugen Round Two in the Women’s Long Jump

Few field event athletes are as exciting as American Brittney Reese. The London Olympic gold medalist in the long jump, and bronze medalist at the Rio Olympics, is poised to get her 2017 campaign ramped up and going strong.

Reese placed second at the Drake Relays last year, finishing just behind Lorraine Ugen of Great Britain. Ugen is entered in Saturday’s contest, meaning these two will get their chance to square off yet again in Des Moines, with one of them bringing home early season bragging rights.

Gold Medalist Drouin Seeks 2.40-meter Effort

Over the past two years, Canada’s Derek Drouin has proven himself as the world’s best high jumper, coming up with gold at both the 2015 IAAF World Championships and 2016 Olympic Games.

Drouin, 27, an Indiana University alum, who won the high jump at last year’s Drake Relays, returns this year seeking another win, as well as challenging the current world lead of 7-8.5 (2.35m). Drouin set his PR of 7-10.50 (2.40m) at Drake in 2014, so he should be plenty confident with performing at the highest of levels Saturday afternoon.

Drouin is joined by fellow Canadian, and three-time Olympian Mike Mason, as well as American Ricky Robertson. Mason currently ranks second in the world with a 7-6.50 (2.30m) seasonal best.