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This was the 102nd time Drake University has hosted the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, and as always the athletes and organizers did not disappoint. The best of the best from the high school, college, and professional level showed up to kick start or continue their outdoor season. Saturday is the day to watch as the elite entrants lace up their spikes and run for the gold...I mean, the Oakley sunglasses.

College/University 3k Steeplechase-

The steeplechase started off Saturday strong as the start list had a few top contenders for the win. The 2010 Drake Relays champion, Shayla Houlihan, was in the mix, along with the 2004 NCAA DIII steeplechase national champion, Julia Webb (my teammate!), and former Nebraskan 1500m national champion and professional runner, Anne Shadle. Houlihan took the race from the start showing off her great water jump form despite a nagging hip injury that has turned her into an Alter-G pro. Her finishing time was 10:19, six seconds ahead of Illinois State junior, Aisha Praught. Shadle, who has been away from the track for a few years now, finished fourth, while Webb followed in fifth. WTS interviewed Shayla after her great race. Take a look at what she has to say about her upcoming season!

100 Meter Hurdle Special:

The hometown favorite, Lolo Jones, was back again this year after taking second to Damu Cherry in 2010. She was up against seven other women including Tiffany Ofili of Adidas, Gennie Crawford, and Candice Davis. The race, which is always intense especially with the heat and wind conditions on Saturday, turned out to be exciting as the women headed for the finish line. Ofili will be looking slick in her new Oakleys after taking the race in 12.66. Lolo took second, running 12.80. WTS caught up with both of these women after their race. Lolo addresses the stressful week in Des Moines with her family and fans leading up to the Relays and Ofili talks about her training and shares some exciting news with her fans. Take a look!

1500 Meter Special:

The 1500m was stacked! It seems that secretly native Iowaians come out of the woodwork around Drake Relay time. What am I talking about? The winner of the 1500m, the world class runner and former steepler, Jenny Simpson (nee Barringer) disclosed (during this interview) that she was actually born in Iowa. She claims that her mother brought dozens of "victims" to watch her race, and boy were they in for a great race. Simpson lead the race and finished in a 4:09 despite the wind.

Several other top Americans were in the race including Treniere Moser-Clement (2nd), Gabriele Anderson (3rd), and Lauren Hagans (4th). Anderson who has been diagnosed with two types of cancer. Her thyroid was recently removed and she is now on medication to stabilize her hormones in order to maintain energy and metabolism. Despite all these blockades, Anderson ran a blazing 1500m time (4:12:35), which is .29 seconds off her personal record. We interviewed Gabriele in October, 2010 about her story, take a listen.

(From left to right: Heather Kampf (Dorniden), Molly Beckwith, Sarah Bowman, Gabriele Anderson, and Lauren Hagans)

High School Sidenote-

It seems that speed is in the blood of the Houlihan sisters. It was proven this weekend when both Shayla and Shelby Houlihan won their events. Shelby got her shot at two races and delivered. First, Shelby won the girls 3,000m run (9:56.71), then she broke her own Drake Relay 800m record by almost two seconds, finishing in 2:07.69, and then came back to win the 1500m (almost taking the record) with the time of 4:29.26. Don't mess with the Houlihan's!

Overall, it was great to get to see some intense track and field. I can't wait to see what will happen next year. Stay tuned!

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This post is related to events on our Calendar:

• Drake Relays
• IAAF World Track and Field Championships - Daegu, Korea

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• Road to Daegu 2011

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