Show summary Hide summary
Friday’s session at the 116th Drake Relays in Des Moines produced a string of decisive wins and photo-finish moments that reshaped the weekend leaderboard. With high school, collegiate and professional athletes sharing the blue oval, several performances stood out as immediate talking points going into Saturday’s finale.
Kaiden Kunze dominated early and late: he opened the long jump competition with a solid mark and improved on his final attempt to take the title with a best of 23-8.25, crossing 23 feet on multiple jumps. Later in the program the Norwalk senior returned to claim the 400 meters in 47.60, holding off Marcus Tomlyanovich (47.76) and Cedar Rapids’ Drew Bennis.
Kunze’s two-event day illustrated the depth of talent on hand — many athletes used the Relays as a benchmark against state rivals and collegiate prospects. The meet continues Saturday at Drake Stadium, where more top names from across Iowa and beyond will race and field events will conclude.
Edmond apartment shooting: suspect arrested after police response
Cal Poly students gather for candlelight vigil: campus mourns San Diego mosque shooting victims
Friday highlights — winners and top marks
- Long jump: Kaiden Kunze — 23-8.25 (gold); Alijah Armstrong (Johnson) — silver; Chris Ford (Sioux City East) — bronze.
- 400 meters (boys): Kaiden Kunze — 47.60; Marcus Tomlyanovich (Cedar Falls) — 47.76; Drew Bennis (Cedar Rapids Prairie) — third.
- Girls high jump: Elle Lonergan (Clinton) — cleared 5-8 to win.
- Girls 100 hurdles: Morgan Karr (West Des Moines Valley) — 13.99.
- Boys 110 hurdles: Hayden Carlson (Ankeny) — 13.80; Jackson Goslin (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) — second; Ely Smock (Iowa City West) — third.
- Girls 800: Makenna Madetzke (Ankeny) — 2:09.16; Rebecca Flick (Ankeny Centennial) — second; Olivia Fehn (Johnston) — third.
- Boys 800: Brennen Hoyer (Cedar Falls) — 1:51.94; Lincoln Bainbridge (Van Buren County) — second; Ike Smith (Ankeny) — third.
- Girls 100: Katie Willits (Waukee Northwest) — 11.69.
- Boys 100: Cauy Konz (Treynor) — 10.53; Ryan Bair (Keokuk) — 10.55.
- Girls 400: Kloe Nissen (Cedar Falls) — 55.00.
- Discus (girls): Delilah Subsin (Ottumwa) — 154-5.
- Shot put (boys): Greyson Hartman (Washington) — 65-0.5.
Relays and team races
Ankeny supplied memorable relay results. The quartet of Quinn Roush, Charlee Cibula, Lena Bruening and Morgan Fisher took the sprint medley in 1:44.11, edging Waukee Northwest’s squad in a tight finish. Fisher also anchored Ankeny in a runner-up showing to Western Dubuque in the boys sprint medley.
Quentin Nauman continued a strong meet for Western Dubuque: after winning the 3,200 on Thursday, he ran anchor on the Bobcats’ sprint medley to help secure gold in 3:26.84.
Waukee Northwest recovered in the 4×200, with a team led by McCann, Quinn Jorgensen, Katie Willits and Katie Stahl stopping the clock at 1:38.40 to claim the title.
Throws and field event notes
In the girls discus, Delilah Subsin produced the top mark on her fourth attempt to win the event, while in the boys shot put Greyson Hartman set the meet’s leading distance and backed it up on successive throws. Other podium finishers included Rachel Haack (Iowa City High) and Anna Hadley (Pekin) in the throws.
Field competitions on Friday showcased experience and late-round composure: several winners clinched titles with decisive fourth- and final-attempt efforts rather than early-season personal bests.
The Drake Relays close Saturday; athletes and coaches will be watching final results for postseason implications and next-level recruiting interest. With college and professional entries in the lineup, performances this weekend offer a timely barometer for spring form across multiple levels of the sport.
