A number of records should fall this weekend at the 97th Drake Relays and renovations to the stadium could be a major factor. Fifteen million dollars worth of upgrades includes a state of the art Mondo track with wider lanes and it should make for some fast times.
Drake Relays director Brian Brown says runners don’t have to hug the turns as much and lean as much and he says that makes them run faster. A number of Olympic standouts return including the reigning gold medalist in the 400 meters Jeremy Wariner who will compete in the 200 on Saturday. Brown says don’t be surprised if there are a number of upsets over the next few days.
Brown says lining up against the best brings out the best in you. Temperatures are expected to be mild the next couple of days but the chance of rain is increasing. Brown says he knows the fans will still be there and the athletes will still compete. Brown says some of the best times in the world have been set in the rain.
U-N-I will be out for more wins at the Drake Relays this weekend but coach Chris Bucknam says that’s gotten tougher in the past week. Injury and illness has sidelined several of the Panthers top performers and a number will not be taking part. Bucknam says while it is important to do well at Drake the big prize is the Missouri Valley Conference meet.