Missouri's Schweizer Races Against the Pros in Rio Rematch 1,500 at Drake Relays

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

Competing against professional runners in the the Rio Rematch 1,500 at the Drake Relays had not been the original plan for Missouri junior Karissa Schweizer.

According to Anne Rogers of the Missourian, Schweizer had been scheduled to run the collegiate 5,000 meters until a Thursday call from Drake Relays director Blake Boldon to Schweizer's coach, Marc Burns. Boldon offered Schweizer a spot in the elite 1,500 race, if she really wanted it.

Schweizer and Burns did want it. On Friday, Schweizer toed the line in the cool and wet weather with six Olympians.

The race itself turned tactical. Schweizer, known for her kick, faced stiff competition from some of the top middle distance runners in the United States. Jenny Simpson, Olympic bronze medalist won the race in 4:16.10. Schweizer finished eighth in 4:18.16.

For Schweizer, who attended Dowling Catholic IA and raced at the Drake Relays as a high school runner, the final result of her 2017 Drake Relays race mattered less than the experience. While she still has another year at Missouri, Schweizer could eventually join the professional ranks.

After the race, Schweizer posed for a picture with Simpson and Olympian Shelby Houlihan.

"It's fun to see (Schweizer) racing so well and get into these high-level meets," Simpson said.

In three more years, Schweizer could be chasing her own Olympic dreams.