Thomas Pollard, future Cyclone and son of ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard, showed why he is one of the best Iowa high school runners on April 23.

He won the 3,200-meter race at the Drake Relays that day by a 7.49-second margin with his time of 9:07.50 minutes.

Thomas said he felt the race had a different feel from the start in terms of the competition.

“It had a different type of feel to it, but in the end it’s racing,” Thomas said. “I knew that the competition was tough and I went out there and did my best.”

Thomas jumped out to a hot start in the 3,200 and led the pack throughout the race—his signature strategy. He started to break away after the mile mark and inched ever farther from the trailing runners as the race went on. 

“My strategy was to take it from the start,” Thomas said. “I wanted to make it a fast race—make it hot—because I knew if it came down to a kick, [Ryan Schweizer] would be tough to beat. He’s got some speed. I just knew I had to push it and run away from him.”

Thomas ran the first mile at around 4:25 minutes and had his commanding lead. With the last few laps around the corner, Thomas knew the rest of the race wouldn’t be easy.

“I knew I was right where I wanted to be,” Thomas said. “At the same time, you have to keep pushing because laps five, six and seven would be very important.”

Thomas finished third in the 3,200 at the Drake Relays last year, being edged out by 6.39 seconds. He also has the Iowa state record for the 3,200. 

“It was little rainy last year, so that kept us together and we all worked together last year,” Thomas said. “It was a different style of race than [April 23].”

Thomas will be competing for the ISU men’s track and field team after he signed his letter of commitment in November of last year. 

The senior from Gilbert High School will compete in the 1,600-meter race on April 25. 

ISU men’s track and field was scheduled in two events but didn’t end up competing on April 23. 

Iowa State will have more of a presence in the Drake Relays on April 24 with the 4×100 men’s relay kicking it off at 11:10 a.m. The team will be the third of four heats.

The 4×100 is one of the top events from the sprinters and an event that sprinter Jared Ingram said earlier this season is something that “the team is really banking on for points.”

The Drake Relays will kick off its schedule at 8 a.m. on April 24 with the girl’s 100-meter hurdles.