DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom added the names of four officials to the Drake Relays Wall of Honor at its annual Officials Reception on Sunday, April 6. The Drake Relays Wall of Honor Class of 2025 includes long-time officials Harrison Cass, Dave Keck, Larry Mokelstad, and Charlie Walker. 

The Drake Relays Wall of Honor was established in 1993, thanks to the family of Ray McAdam, a 40-year Relays official who passed away that year. His son, Scott, began as a Drake Relays official in 1969 and retired prior to 2021 with 51 years of service. A plaque on the Knapp Center track lists all the officials inducted into the Wall of Honor over the last three decades. 

"The individual expertise and collective efforts of the Drake Relays officials is vital in the success of America's Athletic Classic," said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. It is only appropriate that we gather each spring to celebrate the contributions of the most distinguished officials. While we appreciate the volunteerism of all of our officials and celebrate these honorees, we also remain grateful to the McAdam family who made the Wall of Honor possible." 

Harrison Cass's love for the Relays started as a child and has only continued to grow throughout his life. Cass competed over the years for Norwalk High School and then again as an Iowa State Cyclone. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he went on to receive his master's degree in school administration from Drake University. Working as a school administrator for Iowa school districts in West Des Moines, Marshalltown, and Bettendorf, Cass also began officiating for the Drake Relays as an umpire. He served in an official role at the Relays from 1977-90, then again in 1992, another four-year stint from 2002-06, and finally in 2012 and 2013. Since his retirement from officiating at the Relays, he continues to officiate at track and cross country meets for Iowa State University. 

Dave's father, Bill, has been a Drake Relays official for 60 years and started bringing Dave to watch the Relays when he was in elementary school. Dave went on to compete at the Drake Relays running 200s and 400s for Lincoln High School. He has officiated 25 Drake Relays from 1999 until present and is a USATF Certified Official. Keck has officiated at USATF National Championships and NCAA Division I and Division III National Championships. Dave received his undergraduate degree from Drake, and passed the CPA exam. He has been working in the financial services industry in the Des Moines area for over 30 years.

Larry Moklestad has spent 40 years as an educator in the state of Iowa, accruing 31 years of experience as an Athletic Director and 15 years as a coach. During his career, Moklestad has been awarded the Iowa Athletic Director of the Year and the Central Iowa Track Coach of the Year. He has been inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame and the National Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. Previously he held the position of President for the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association. Larry currently serves as Co-Athlete check-in clerk alongside Gary Ross and as the Co-Administrator for the 2A Girls State Tennis Tournament. Moklestad has been an active Drake Relays official since 1997.

An Iowa native and U.S. Army Veteran, Charlie Walker has been involved in the track and field world for 41 years. He has worked as a middle school and grade school track coach for St. Edmund since 1984 and began his career as a track and field official in the same year. He is also still on staff as a Relays official and got his start at Drake in 1998. Outside of track and field, he is a graduate of Drake University's law school and has served on the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Board of Directors since its inception in September of 2009. 

The celebration on Sunday also saw 2024 inductees Dave Beatty and Brett Osborn share remarks about their decades of service. Beatty and Osborn were unable to attend the 2024 ceremony and were recognized alongside the 2025 inductees.

In addition to the Wall of Honor inductees, 26 other dedicated members of the Drake Relays team were honored for milestone years of service:

5 Years of Service 
·   Paul Gooris
·   Jill Heston
·   Chris Lynch
·   Brian Pierce
·   Suzie Pierce
·   Spencer Sorrell

15 Years of Service 
·   Lakisha Aller
·   Matt Fenstemann
·   Terrie Fenstemann
·   Craig Johansen
·   Nolan Morris
·   Al Neppl
·   Steve Pettit
·   Gordy Yuska
·   Doug Dillivan

25 Years of Service 
·   John Casebolt
·   Dave Keck
·   Craig Numedahl
·   Mike Whisner
·   Terry Thompson
·   Joe Toot

30 of Service 
·   Larry Jablonski
·   Rick Kuhlman
·   Marcia Munger

40 Years of Service
·   John Wolff

60 Years of Service 
·   Bill Keck

Thanks to the dedication of these and many other officials, along with countless volunteers, fans, and supporters, the 115th edition of the Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom will be held April 23–26, 2025.