Drake Relays Recap

While the Penn Relays stay true to their name and put the relay events center-stage, the Drake Relays have a bit different model, emphasizing the superstars competing in the individual events. It's a great mix that gives the fans two exciting meets to follow in the same weekend. Now if we could just see the Drake Relays on TV too!

The hometown sweetheart of Des Moines is of course Lolo Jones. They love them some Lolo! And Lolo loves Des Moines. Check out her twitter stream for her lighthearted and funny updates from her time there.

Jones, the 2009 indoor world champ was surprisingly beaten by Damu Cherry-Mitchell in the 100m hurdles, but the outcome was a positive one anyway, in that she came away from the meet healthy and having run her fastest early-season time thus far. Last year, Lolo was carted off the track in tears after an already-weak hamstring caused her to stop mid-race.

Jones wasn't surprised at Cherry-Mitchell's performance, saying "I knew it would be a very close race. She (Damu) had the second fastest time in the world coming in, so I just wanted to execute a good race." (Source)

Cherry-Mitchell was pleased with herself and the support of the crowd, "The crowd really got me going.  I said to myself, 'this is huge'. I said to Lolo 'let's play and have fun.' And we did. I loved it.”

After the race, Jones joked via twitter, "I told Damu she won't be invited back next year. Haha! ;) good race I've never ran in the 60's so early."

And then shortly after, "Thanks hometown fans for not throwing popcorn & soda @cherrymitchell as she ran her victory lap. ;) Rematch is in June. Same track."

Drake always brings in great throwers, and this year was no exception. Germany's Nadine Kleinert set a meet record in the shot put with her throw of 61 feet 3 inches, and USA's Becky Breisch set a meet and stadium record with her winning throw of 211 feet 3 inches. Breisch's mark is the 5th farthest in the world this year.

In the heptathlon, 2009 US Champ Diana Pickler broker the Drake Relays record with her 2nd highest score in the world this year of 6040 points.  

Photo, left, is of Pickler finishing the final event of the heptathlon, the 800m. (Photo by Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo).

For full Drake Relays results, CLICK HERE.

For videos of races and interviews from Flotrack, CLICK HERE.

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• Filed Under:  
• Track & Field, Sports

• Tags:
• lolo jones
• drake relays
• diana pickler
• Damu Cherry-Mitchell
• Becky Breisch

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• Drake Relays