The Friday session at the 108th edition of the Drake Relays started and ended with a bang at Drake Stadium presented by Hy-Vee. Fans were treated to a pair of meet records in the morning before witnessing several Rio Rematches during the evening session.

In the race of the night, Webster City, Iowa, native Jenny Simpson prevailed in the women's 1,500 meters as usual. Simpson, the bronze medalist at last summer's Olympics, pulled out of the pack to take the lead in the final lap, then survived a sprint to the finish to win the Rio Rematch race in 4:16.10.
It's the fifth straight victory for the former Colorado standout in the race, matching a streak achieved by former Wisconsin star Cindy Bremser, who did it from 1981-85.

Simpson won against an impressive field that had deep Iowa connections as Shelby Houlihan, an eight-time Drake Relays champion at Sioux City East, was fourth. Former West Des Moines Dowling Catholic standout Karissa Schweizer, who has won two NCAA championships, came in seventh.

Veteran LaShawn Merritt outran longtime rival Kirani James and five others in a star-studded field to win the Rio Rematch 400. Merritt, who'll turn 31 on June 27, was solid throughout and had the strength he needed at the end to hold off Vernon Norwood and Tony McQuay. A three-time Olympic gold medalist and eight-time World champion, Merritt finished in 45.41 seconds for his second Drake Relays victory.

Dani Bunch came into the Drake Relays as the world leader in the women's shot put and leaves with a championship. Bunch threw 60 feet, 10½ inches to win the Elite Invitational event.

A pair of elite athletes defended their Drake Relays crowns as Sandi Morris won the Rio Rematch Women's Pole Vault with a clearance of 15-5 ¾, while Lavern Spencer won the invitational women's high jump with a mark of 6-3 ¼.

Former Kansas star and 2015 NCAA champion Michael Stigler won the Rio Rematch Men's 400 Hurdles in 49.07, which ranks fourth in the world this year. Bershawn "Batman" Jackson, a two-time Drake Relays Champion and Drake Stadium record-holder, finished second in 49.70 in his final appearance on the Blue Oval as Jackson will retire at the end of the season. 

Christian Taylor made his return to Des Moines where he won the Rio Rematch Men's Triple Jump with a jump of 55-6 ½. Taylor set the Drake Stadium record of 57-1 at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

At the college level, Iowa took home the men's university 4x800-meter relay crown thanks to strong performances from former Iowa preps Matt Manternach (Monticello), Tysen VanDraska (Cedar Rapids Prairie), Will Teubel (Mt. Vernon) and Carter Lilly (Sioux City East).

Purdue picked up a pair of wins on Friday as Symone Black won the 400 hurdles while the Boilermakers also won the 4x200 relay. NDSU also won a pair of throwing events as Alex Renner won the men's shot put while Alyssa Olin took home the women's javelin crown.

Oklahoma State won its second women's relay title of the weekend thanks to its win in the women's university 4x800 relay in 8:37.20 as the Cowgirls also won the 4x1600 relay crown on Thursday.

A pair of Drake Relays records fell at the high school level as Kerris Roberts of Waterloo East set the girls 100 record in 11.82, while Cedar Rapids Prairie's Joah Banks won the 110 hurdles in a Relays record time of 14.01.

Less than 24 hours after winning the boys' shot put title at the Drake Relays, Mt. Vernon's Tristan Wirfs completed the double with a victory in the boys' discus Friday morning. Wirfs launched a bomb of 190-1, which ranks 26th in the country this year.  

West Burlington/Notre Dame's Isaiah Trousil joined elite company on Friday on the Blue Oval, becoming the fourth prep to win three-straight Drake Relays titles in the boys' 100 meters.

Davenport Assumption's Joy Ripslinger repeated in her title in the girls 800, running away from the field to win in 2:10.47. It's the sixth Drake Relays championship for the Arkansas recruit, who also has won five state titles.

Action resumes on the Blue Oval Saturday at 8 a.m. with action continuing until 4:30 p.m. Events from Drake Stadium will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network from 2-4 p.m.