November 07, 2024

Drake University releases ‘Blue Standards’ for 2021

By Tyler Hetu

The famous 'Blue Oval' at Drake University in Des Moines, home of the annual Drake Relays. (Tyler Hetu)

DES MOINES – The 2021 Drake Relays’ ‘Blue Standards’ for its high school division were released earlier this week, giving high school competitors a benchmark to work towards in what is widely considered a state track and field preview for the spring.

To qualify for the Drake Relays, one must qualify in at least one event by bettering the standard set in any event. Anyone in high school can qualify.

In addition to these top athletes, coaches should also enter other team members outside of those marks for consideration on the accepted entry list.

“High school track and field practices begin across Iowa (Monday), and we hope that releasing the Blue Standards today provides excitement and motivation,” explained Blake Boldon, the Franklin “Pitch” Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. “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.”

The high school division returns following a year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of the 111th Drake Relays. All high school events at this spring’s Drake Relays are scheduled for Thursday, April 22, at Drake Stadium; strict COVID-19 protocols will be enforced.

Entries for high schools will open on Monday, March 8. Given the unusual and challenging circumstances, many specific details are yet to be finalized. At this time, the following details have been confirmed:

  • All high school running events will be run as finals, except for the 4x100 meter relay which will have preliminaries.
  • All high school field events will have preliminaries and finals.
  • The 4x100 meter relay qualifiers will be reduced from 96 to 48 teams for high school boys, and from 96 teams to 48 teams for high school girls.
  • The number of qualifiers for all other high school events will remain the same as in 2019, the most recent year of high school competition at the Drake Relays.

The following is currently the standard for events for the 2021 Drake Relays.

Boys standards

  • 100 meter – 10.80
  • 400 meter – 49.00
  • 800 meter – 1:56.30
  • 1,600 meter – 4.24.00
  • 3,200 meter – 9:35.00
  • 110 meter hurdles – 14.60
  • 400 meter hurdles – 54.60
  • 4x100 meter hurdles – 43.40
  • 4x200 meter hurdles – 1:29.50
  • 4x400 meter hurdles – 3:23.00
  • 4x800 meter hurdles – 8:05.00
  • Shuttle hurdle – 59.70
  • 1,600 meter medley – 3:34.50
  • High jump – 6 feet, 7 inches
  • Long jump – 22 feet, 4 inches
  • Discus – 171 feet, 0 inches
  • Shot put – 57 feet, 0 inches

Girls standards

  • 100 meters – 12.30
  • 400 meters – 58.00
  • 800 meters – 2:16.00
  • 1,500 meters – 4:47.00
  • 3,000 meters – 10:30.00
  • 100 meter hurdles – 15.10
  • 400 meter hurdles – 1:05.50
  • 4x100 meter hurdles – 50.40
  • 4x200 meter hurdles – 1:44.20
  • 4x400 meter hurdles – 4:03.00
  • 4x800 meter hurdles – 9:36.00
  • Shuttle hurdle – 1:06.00
  • 800 meter medley – 1:49.00
  • High jump – 5 feet, five inches
  • Long jump – 17 feet, 10 inches
  • Discus – 136 feet, 0 inches
  • Shot put – 42 feet, 0 inches

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.