Tigers competing at Drake Relays today, tomorrow: Men qualify eight events

Men qualify eight events

This year the men’s track team qualified eight events for the 108th Drake Relays:

  • 3200m Sam Schillinger running Thursday 6:25
  • 1600m Schillinger running Saturday 12:52
  • 800m Seb Gearhart running Friday 2:54
  • 400m Hurdles Nathan Hoy running Saturday 1:36
  • Distance medley Gearhart, Hoy, Matt Timmer, Zayne Lang running Friday 10:37
  • 4×800 Gearhart, Hoy, Schillinger, Brandon Conrad running Saturday 9:16
  • 4×400 Gearhart, Hoy, Timmer, Quinlan O’Hair, alternate Colin Klatt running Friday 8:50/finals Saturday 4:22
  • 4×100 Gabe Penrith, Timmer, Zayne Lang, Sam Gary and alternate Penrith running Friday 6:05/finals Saturday 3:36

Drake is an important early measure of how team is poised for the state meet later this spring.

Senior Seb Gearhart said, “My goals for this meet is just to run as fast as I possibly can in every race. If that leads to any victories, that would be awesome, but if not, it’s not the end of the world because State is where we really place our focus.”

Gearhart will be running the distance medley, the 800, 4×800 and 4×400. All of his events are top ranked in the state.

Although some of the boys are not concerned with their rankings in the state, it is still a huge achievement.

Senior Sam Schillinger said. “I try not to put too much emphasis on the rankings, but I think I’m currently ranked first in the 3200m. Our team sits at third for the 4x800m. In the 1600m, I have the third fastest time this year. Again, I’m not too worried about the rankings, really.”

Schillinger is currently ranked first for the 3200m, and the next fastest boy is four seconds slower.

Hoping to take home the Drake title, Schillinger said, “I’m going to put it out there. I want to come away with a Drake Relays title. I know that it’s within reach for me. I also want to contribute to the team in any way possible and lead us to a successful weekend.”

The team also has another member ranked in the top spot for State, and it happens to be the reigning 400m hurdles state champion Nathan Hoy. Though Hoy currently has a top-ranked spot in the nation, he said he is not too worried about the meet just looking forward to one last go at it and really enjoying it.

“Drake is a fun and competitive meet. It’s a blast to watch all the competition, especially the collegiate level and the professionals. It’s always exciting to race on the blue oval no matter what,” Hoy said.

This year will be an emotional finish for the team as they have a large amount of seniors running.

Schillinger said, “It’s a special feeling knowing that I’m representing Cedar Falls one last time at the Drake Relays. It’s such an honor to have this opportunity. I am so proud of the team and thankful for this amazing coaching staff. It’s a gratifying feeling knowing that my teammates and coaches and fans have all helped me reach the spot that I’m in today, and I just want to go out and represent this school and community with heart and character.”

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