For 104 years, the Drake Relays have brought together athletes from all over the state, country and world to compete, creating an experience unlike any other in the world of track and field.

In high school, ISU junior hurdler Ryan Sander competed at Drake Stadium for the Drake Relays as well as the Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships. 

Sander was a part of Cedar Rapids Xavier’s first-place 4×100-meter relay team at the 2010 Drake Relays and finished second in the 110-meter hurdles.

Sander also competed as a freshman at Iowa State in the 1,600-meter sprint medley at the Drake Relays in 2011.

“I ran my freshman year [at Iowa State] at the Drake Relays and it was a lot different; in high school it’s a lot bigger of a stage,” Sander said. “It was really different though; I’m really excited to go this weekend, but it’s the week before conference so we’re just trying stay healthy, perform well and take care of ourselves.”

Sander will compete in the 110-meter hurdle event at the Drake Relays. 

It will be his first individual event at the Drake Relays as a collegiate athlete, and his first 110-meter hurdle event at Drake since he won the state title in the event during his senior year of high school.

“Competing in Des Moines at Drake does make it a little more exciting; it’s going to be a fun meet,” Sander said.

Former ISU track and field athlete and current coach Corey Ihmels participated in the Drake Relays during his time as a Cyclone as well.

“I was able to compete there and capture a title and I know it is an exciting event and the kids from Iowa always get ramped up this week for it,”  Ihmels said.

Ihmels competed at Iowa State from 1992-97 and won a title in the 4×1,600-meter run at the 1993 relays. 

Ihmels held the school records in the mile and in the 1,000-meter run at Iowa State until 2006 and won the NCAA Indoor Track and Field championship title in both events.

“The majority of our team is from Iowa so a lot of them competed at the Drake Relays in high school,” Ihmels said. “It’s just an important meet to get to and do well at.”

In 1910 the Drake Relays consisted of 100 spectators and 82 athletes from central Iowa high schools and colleges. 

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, 113 former Drake Relay athletes competed.

Sprinter Nick Efkamp won the 400-meter hurdles at the Drake Relays in 2011 at the high school level. 

Efkamp competed for Madrid High School and he agreed that the Drake Relays are a special place to be.

“There is no other feeling that compares to running around the track holding that [Drake Relays] flag,” Efkamp said. “I don’t think that feeling would change from high school to college.”