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Seventeen Former Drake Relays Competitors Make Team USA On the First Weekend Of Olympic Trials

The USA's delegation in the men's triple jump, women's 100-meter hurdles and men's pole vault consists entirely of athletes that have competed at the Drake Relays

A total of 17 past competitors from Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom punched their ticket to Tokyo during the first four days of the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
 
More Drake Relays' favorites are likely to join them on Team USA later this week when the trials resume.
 
"Congrats to the 17 Drake Relays athletes that have already earned the right to represent the USA in Tokyo," said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "We're honored that they include the Drake Relays in their schedule and use it as a springboard to the Olympics. Thanks to Xtream powered by Mediacom's partnership, we look forward to continuing to bring the sport's biggest stars to Central Iowa."
 
Ryan Crouser highlighted the early round of Olympic qualifiers as the three-time defending Drake Relays champion shattered the world record with his throw of 76-8.25 to give him the ability to defend his 2016 Olympic gold medal. Payton Otterdahl, who finished fourth at the 2021 Drake Relays and was a regular while at North Dakota State, finished third at the U.S. Olympic Trials to earn a spot on the team.
 
On the Hayward Field track, all three Olympians representing the USA in women's 100-meter hurdles in Tokyo have come through the Drake Relays, led by World Record holder and four-time Relays Champion Keni Harrison. Harrison won the U.S. Olympic Trials, followed by Brianna McNeil and Christina Clemmons.
 
The pole vaulters representing the USA in Tokyo will all be Drake Relays alums with Chris Nilsen, Sam Kendricks and KC Lightfoot head to the Olympic games after finishing top three in the Trials. Kendricks is a three-time Drake Relays champion and the defending champion, while Lightfoot made his professional debut at Drake Stadium in April. Nilsen was the 2019 Drake Relays champion.
 
All three American male triple jumpers heading to Tokyo are Relays alums, with Will Claye, a two-time Olympic silver medalist, leading the way at the U.S. Olympic Trials. He was followed by Donald Scott and Chris Benard in the competition, who have all put on shows for the fans at Drake Stadium.
 
Previous Drake Relays champions Vashti Cunningham and Inika McPherson finished first and second in the women's high jump to qualify for the Olympic team in other early field events. The women's triple jump featured Tori Franklin, who competed at the Relays while with Michigan State, also earned a spot on the Olympic team.
 
 
The men's 100 meters also saw two Relays alums earn a spot on the team as Ronnie Baker took second at the Olympic Trials, followed by Kenny Bednarek. Bednarek finished fourth to be added in the USA's 4x100-meter relay pool and will compete later this week in his primary event, the 200 meters.
 
The Drake Relays will also be represented in the 400 meters as North Carolina A&T's Randolph Ross earned his spot on the team with a third-place showing at the Olympic Trials. Ross ran the current world-leading time in the event of 43.85 in winning the NCAA Championships earlier this month.
 
Clayton Murphy, also a Relays champion, was the top qualifier in the men's 800 meters as he laid down the best time in the world this season at 1:43.17.
 
Des Moines native Karissa Schweizer showed the prowess she's demonstrated on the Blue Oval in finishing second in the 5,000 meters to qualify for her first Olympic games. Rachel Schneider, a Grand Blue Mile champion, also qualified.
 
Finally, Riley Dolezal, a Relays champion in the javelin, made his first Olympic team in the event.
 
Drake Relays Athletes Heading To Tokyo – As of June 21
Men's Shot Put
Ryan Crouser *
Payton Otterdahl *
 
Men's Triple Jump
Will Claye *
Donald Scott
Chris Benard
 
Men's Pole Vault
Chris Nilsen *
Sam Kendricks *
KC Lightfoot
 
Men's 100 Meters
Ronnie Baker
Kenny Bednarek (4x100m pool)
 
Men's 800 Meters
Clayton Murphy *
 
Men's Javelin
Riley Dolezal *
 
Women's 100-Meter Hurdles
Keni Harrison *
Brianna McNeal
Christina Clemmons
 
Women's 5,000 Meters
Karissa Schweizer *
Rachel Schneider *
 
* Drake Relays Champion
 
 
 
 
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