The Drake Relays exhibition high jump competition had to be moved indoors. It was the second year for the even in downtown Des Moines but light right forced officials to move it to Capitol Square where a noon time crowd watched 2004 Olympian Jamie Nieto win the men’s competition with a jump of seven feet, three and three quarters inches.
Neito says these type of competitions are real common in Europe. He says he looks forward to everyone coming out on Saturday when they jump again. Nieto says it was fun even though the move inside did not allow for as much room. He says the approach wasn’t as good as he would like for his style, but it was still a good time.
Amy Acuff won the women’s competition on a weekend that she will be inducted into the Drake Relays hall of fame. Acuff says it’s all about adrenaline and she says it’s a good setup for going into Saturday. Acuff says they were glad to event was moved out of the elements.