March 29, 2024

Area athletes run in Drake Relays

Handoff issues slow down Newton’s sprint medley team

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DES MOINES — Leela Spencer put Newton’s sprint medley team’s performance at the 107th Drake Relays into perspective.

The Cardinals came into the meet with the 24th and final qualifying time. They didn’t have high expectations. The foursome, which also included sophomore Liz McVey and seniors Alex Hutchinson and Sydney Jenkins, was just excited to be running with the best athletes in the state and were thankful they got to take part in such a historic track meet.

“I am just glad we made it,” Spencer said. “We came in 24th but at least we made it.”

The Cardinals ran in the outside lane of the first heat.

They had trouble with the second exchange, and that prevented them from moving up in the standings.

Newton finished 24th overall with a time of 1 minute, 54.12 seconds.

“It was fun. There’s always a lot of nerves, but I always love coming here and running here,” said Jenkins, who joined Spencer as a three-time Drake Relays qualifier. “It’s a fun experience. I like seeing all the college athletes here.”

Before running her 200 leg, Spencer had trouble getting the baton from Hutchinson. That prevented the Cardinals from reaching one of their goals of finishing ahead of Little Hawkeye Conference rival Dallas Center-Grimes.

“Our goal was to try to beat them. That’s something we were looking to do,” Spencer said. “I think it was just nerves. She tapped my fingertips with the baton. I am just glad we didn’t drop it. That would have set us back even more.”

McVey was an alternate on a Newton relay last year as a freshman. This season, she got her first chance to compete on the blue oval.

“It was fun. I was nervous,” McVey said. “It was much different than state. It’s much scarier.”

Waukee won the sprint medley relay with a time of 1:47.11. Dallas Center-Grimes finished 19th overall with a time of 1:52.06.