The ISU women’s track and field team will compete in what the Drake Relays is most known for: A meet dominated by relay races that pits several groups of ISU relay teams against some of the NCAA’s best.

“We’re sending a few relay teams to Drake and we feel they will compete well and have a good chance to win,” said coach Corey Ihmels.

The relay events in which the Cyclones will compete are the 4×1,600-meter relay, 4×100-meter shuttle hurdle, 1,600-sprint medley and the distance medley.

“I was lucky to win when I ran at the Drake Relays; it’s an exciting event for the kids and they are always ramped up for this week,” Ihmels said. “Most of this team is from Iowa, it’s important for them to compete at this meet, and compete at a high level.”

Ese Okoro and Donnise Powell will compete in the 400-meter hurdles. This will be Okoro’s second 400-meter hurdle event of the outdoor season. She finished second in the 400-meter hurdles at the Texas Relays earlier this season.

“I think us sprinters work really hard together. We really push each other and training is real competitive,” Okoro said.

Two weeks ago at the Jim Duncan Invitational, Okoro finished second in the 400-meter dash, one place ahead of teammate Kendra White.

“We really work together to reach our goals and compete to the best of our ability,” Okoro said.

The Drake Relays start on Thursday, April 25, 2013, with collegiate competition wrapping up on Saturday afternoon.