With the 93rd annual Drake Relays set to begin on Wednesday, April 24, through Saturday, April 27, in Des Moines, Iowa, head coach Jeff Pigg has selected the athletes that will represent Illinois State at the prestigious meet that attracts some of the best athletes in the country. Over 8,800 athletes from 743 teams will be competing at the Drake Stadium this year.
This is a meet that is known from coast to coast, said Pigg, in regards to the Relays. It has an unbelievable atmosphere that is sort of like being at a Bowl game. It is a special meet and means a lot to those that compete in it. I think our kids realize that it is a great meet, but also realize that it is great because athletes from Illinois State are competing in it.
The Drake Relays open Wednesday with the decathlon scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and the heptathlon at 11:30 a.m. Hyland will be the only athlete from Illinois State competing on Wednesday and Thursday and will be participating in the heptathlon. The remainer of the ISU athletes will begin competition in the running and field events beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.
The athletes representing Illinois State on the mens side at the Drake Relays include: Gergely Bata, Robert Beach, Robert Breit, Steve Cotman, Gabriel Cruz, Joseph Drevlow, Alfie Gordillo, Akos Kaldenecker, Miklos Konkoly, Walter Ogola, Daniel Schrock, Bryan Smith, JaRod Tobler and Quincy Washington.
Competing on the womens side will be: Lindsey Arnold, Stacia Beste, Andrea Black, Nicole Blow, Keri Davis, Amy Dian, Alia Hoyle, Hillary Hyland, Latisha Johnson, Jen Klostermann, Egle Kregzdyte, Lauren Ritt, Sam Serrano and Leah Smith.
For more information regarding this meet, visit the website at www.drakerelays.com.
