DES MOINES, Iowa – On the official start date of the 2026 Iowa high school track and field season, Drake Relays has announced the Blue Standards presented by Fareway for the 116th Drake Relays. The Blue Standards presented by Fareway are the qualifying marks that guarantee acceptance for Iowa high schoolers in the Drake Relays when entered in the meet. In addition to athletes that achieve these marks, coaches are encouraged to enter student-athletes outside of those marks for consideration on the accepted entry list.
"Every year, the first day of high school track and field practice in Iowa carries real meaning. As a former Iowa prep, I remember what it felt like to start the season with the Blue Oval in mind. Today's athletes begin that same journey, and in 2026 there's already a sense that something special is building." said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "The level of talent and quality of coaching across our state continues to rise, and we're proud to provide the stage where those goals can become reality.."
The Blue Standards presented by Fareway do not change the entry process for student-athletes and coaches. Coaches are still required to enter the athlete(s) in the event on Bound before the meet entry deadline Friday, April 17 at 6:00 a.m. Meeting the Blue Standard in an event guarantees acceptance only when the coach enters the athlete/relay in the event. Should four or more athletes from one team meet the standard in the same event, it is up to the coach to determine which three athletes will be entered. It is not a requirement that individuals or relays must meet this standard to qualify for the Drake Relays.
Entries for high schools will open on Monday, March 2 and will close Friday, April 17 at 6:00 a.m., providing coaches the early morning hours to update results from Thursday, April 16. The final high school start lists will be published on DrakeRelays.org before noon on Saturday, April 18.
The Blue Standards were created in 2018 to create tangible goals for Iowa's top athletes, and to assist coaches and families in planning their season. The Drake Relays High School Selection Committee establishes these standards each year with the aim of approximately 25 percent of qualified competitors having attained the mark in their respective event.
In 2025, 159 Iowa high school girls' teams were represented at the Drake Relays, with 139 Iowa high school boys' teams. Of the 2,195 Iowa high school athletes who competed in last year's edition of America's Athletic Classic, 454 girls and 601 boys attained a Blue Standard. With competition fiercer than ever, the Drake Relays continues to be the pinnacle of high school athletics in Iowa, setting the stage for future collegiate and professional stars.
In this year's edition, Iowa high school boys and girls will each compete in 17 events. When compared to the standards from last year's Drake Relays, the 2026 Blue Standards became more challenging in 11 of the 17 boys events and in 12 of the 17 girls events.
"The Blue Standards reflect the continued growth of high school track and field in Iowa. Each year, the marks become more competitive because the athletes and coaches across this state keep raising the bar. In 2026, that momentum feels stronger than ever. We're excited to welcome the next wave of Iowa's best to Drake Stadium and celebrate what promises to be one of the most memorable seasons in recent history." said Boldon.
Those who achieve the Blue Standard presented by Fareway are encouraged to post on social media mentioning @DrakeRelays using the hashtag #BlueOvalBound.
Drake Relays
2026 High School Blue Standards |
| Boys |
Field Size |
Girls |
| 100m |
10.75 |
32 |
100m |
12.35 |
| 400m |
49.00 |
16 |
400m |
57.05 |
| 800m |
1:54.00 |
16 |
800m |
2:15.40 |
| 1600m |
4:15.00 |
21 |
1500m |
4:42.50 |
| 3200m |
9:15.00 |
21 |
3000m |
10:13.00 |
| 110mH |
14.50 |
32 |
100mH |
15.10 |
| 400mH |
54.15 |
16 |
400mH |
1:04.50 |
| 400m Wheelchair |
1:10 |
-- |
400m Wheelchair |
1:30 |
| 4x100m |
43.20 |
96 |
4x100m |
50.50 |
| 4x200m |
1:29.00 |
24 |
4x200m |
1:44.50 |
| 4x400m |
3:24.00 |
24 |
4x400m |
4:01.50 |
| 4x800m |
7:58.00 |
16 |
4x800m |
9:31.00 |
| Shuttle Hurdle |
59.00 |
16 |
Shuttle Hurdle |
1:05.00 |
| 1600 Med |
3:31.50 |
24 |
800 Med |
1:49.00 |
| High Jump |
6-7 |
24 |
High Jump |
5-6 |
| Long Jump |
23-0 |
24 |
Long Jump |
18-00 |
| Discus |
175-0 |
24 |
Discus |
140-0 |
| Shot Put |
56-0 |
24 |
Shot Put |
42-0 |
For complete entry information, please visit here.
All Session tickets for the 116th Drake Relays April 22-25 are available now at https://godrakebulldogs.evenue.net/events/DR.
Pre-sale for single session tickets begins on Tuesday, March 24.
