This year Drake University hosted their 112th Drake Relays competition, to which Pella High sent nine events. The girls sent three events, with the 4×100 earning a 15th place finish and the 4x 200 earning seventh. Senior Emily McMartin came in 21st in the 100 meter dash.  The boys sent the six remaining events: the shuttle hurdle relay earned a fourth place finish, the 1600 meter medley earning fifth,  the 400 meter hurdle run by Gage Huyser earning 12th, and the 800 meter run by Chase Lauman earning 9th. Both senior Noaln Clayberg and Huyser ran the 100 Hurdles and junior Brandon Fischer threw discus.

The athletes were excited for the opportunity to compete at such a high level, against fierce competition. Senior Calla Kerndt, who ran track all four years of high school and had the opportunity to run at Drake for the third time, competed in both of the girls’ relays. 

“It isn’t until you are back on the blue oval that the feeling really hits you,” said Kerndt. “To be surrounded by the best high school and collegiate athletes is truly an honor. I felt very accomplished getting to run at Drake because it felt like all my hard work was paying off. I was proud of not just myself, but for my teammates and how we performed.”

The girls 4×200 relay earned a qualifying spot at Drake on their first outdoor meet with a time of 1:46.94. Along with Kerndt, the relay team is composed of juniors Delanie Reynolds, Marissa Hackman, and sophomore Jacie Trine. The team earned a 1:45.71 finish at the blue oval.

“One of my favorite parts about track is the feeling you get after you run. All season you work so hard for each meet, and it comes down to how you perform within those 30 seconds. The feeling you experience after you finish your race makes you feel so accomplished. It isn’t until after every race that you realize how capable you are,” said Kerndt. “Everyone encourages each other to give it their all! Although track is an individual sport, it is also a team sport. It is so cool to see everyone support one another!”