Standards announced for Drake Relays

DES MOINES - The Drake Relays announced last month that the 2021 event will include a high school division.

This week, the Blue Standards were announced. If one of the marks is attained, an athlete knows that he or she will be bound for the Blue Oval. These are the qualifying marks that guarantee acceptance for Iowa high schoolers in the Relays, as long as the athletes' coach has entered the competitors by the deadline. If four or more athletes from one team achieve the Blue Standard in the same event Coach must determine which three athletes to enter.

The Blue Standard does not have to be met to qualify. It only allows a guarantee for those that have met the standard.

High school events will compete on Thursday, April 22 at Drake Stadium.

The COVID-19 pandemic cost a suspension of the 111th Drake Relays in 2020. Strict protocols will be enforced at this year‘s event.

'We hope that releasing the Blue Standards provides excitement and motivation,” said Blake Boldon, the Franklin 'Pitch” Johnson Director of the Drake Relays in a news release. 'These young student-athletes have made many sacrifices during the pandemic and yet continued to stay mentally focused and physically fit. The Blue Standards will give them an inspirational goal to achieve early this season.”

Entries for high schools will open on Monday, March 8.

Decisions and guidelines regarding spectators and ticketing are still being made. Details will be announced as soon as possible and also posted to Drake Relays website and social media.