Joey Woody is hoping that next week’s Drake Relay are another step on a path that leads him to the Olympic Games. The former U-N-I standout won the silver medal at last year’s World Outdoor Championships and Relays Director Mark Kostek says the Iowa City native is at the top of his game. He says Woody had and “abosolutely marvelous year last year.”Woody will be looking for a fifth Relays title in the 400-hurdles and earned the number-one ranking in the U.S. after his second place finish at the World Championships.Woody has been training in California and says he looks forward to running at Drake, an event he first competed in as a freshman at Iowa City High. He says to be invited back year after year is a great thing, and he’s glad to be able to put on a show for everyone who’s supported him.Woody finished a disappointing fourth in the U.S. Olympic trials back in 2000 and failed to earn a spot on the team. At the age of 30, this may be his best chance.He says there’s a little urgency, but he says he needs to just focus on the things he can do. He says he can’t worry too much about whether he’s going to make the team.Woody says he put too much pressure on himself to make the Olympic team four years ago. He says he felt like that was his big chance to make the team. But, he says he feels like he’s in the best shape of his life in the 400 hurdles right now.Woody will run in the special invitational 400-hurdles during the Saturday session.
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