The Drake Relays, one of the most prominent track meets in the country, hits Des Moines this weekend with a wide array of athletes from all levels of competition.

High school, collegiate and Olympic athletes will compete at Drake Stadium, converging for one of the Midwest’s largest outdoor meets.

With the ISU track and field team competing alongside Olympians, men’s coach Steve Lynn has high goals for his team.

“Everyone competing has a chance to be a factor,” he said.

Lynn said Iowa State has won more events than any other school since 1980, but has not won any events the last couple years.

“We hope to change that this year,” he said.

The ISU sprint relay team, which consists of James Lopes, Elijah Braimah, Jared Graham and Abraham Rotich, has a good chance to excel this weekend, Lynn said. Rotich could place high in the 800-meter run, as well, he said.

This year’s 4×400 relay will be one of the strongest events according to Lynn, with many top schools competing. Despite this, he said that his team could do well in that event this weekend.

“No event is easy here, they’re all very strong.” Lynn said.

In other events, Lynn said that Tony Douglas has a chance to do well in the long jump, despite the fact he has missed a lot of practices because of injuries.

“He was just a quarter inch away last year,” Lynn said. “He will probably do well even though it is his first meet back.”

Lynn also mentioned that Oliver Koenig could do well in the long jump. Koenig won the event at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Baylor last week with a leap of 25-6 — putting himself in the top ten in the nation.

Neil Hines has begun competition in the decathlon, standing in third place after one day of competition. Hines clocked personal bests in four of five events.

For the women, the 4×800-meter relay team of Jenny Mockler, Lauren Lewis, Sara Boisen and Ada Anderson is expected to be a top event.

“It will be tough, but I think we could finish top three there, maybe win it,” said sprints coach Scott Roberts.

Women’s coach Dick Lee said the relay could be one of the toughest events of the meet. He said many of the schools who will be there have good sprinters, and if they choose to run them in the relay it would make for a very challenging event.

Roberts said Drake was at a good point in the season for regional qualifying, and he expects tough competition for Anderson in the 800-meter run.

He said many of the people in that event were at the national championship meet last year.

Lee said that he expects good performances from high jumpers April Fabert and Leigh Wagner, and from long jumper Jummy Alowonle.

“It’s a great event,” Roberts said. “It’s two weeks from conferences, there’s a chance to get some great marks.”