It’s Drake Relays week. That means we’ll get chilly temperatures and probably some rain.
It never fails. It could be 70 and sunny for three weeks in a row and then suddenly change for the worse when the Relays kick off in Des Moines.
The Grand Blue Mile was chilly but the rain appeared to stay away. The main event for the Wednesday, the pole vault, was indoors.
I will be making my way to Drake Stadium Thursday evening, and I am hoping for the best. I only have to be there for Collins-Maxwell/Baxter sophomore Will Clapper and the high school boys’ shot put. So if the rain could stay away for an hour or so, that would be great.
The rain is supposed to hit Friday for the first full day. I will back again that night for the 4x100-meter relay. Newton and Prairie City-Monroe will be on the blue oval a little bit after 6:05 p.m.
Again, my time at the Relays doesn’t have to be long. I could be in and out in an hour again. I don’t usually stick around for stuff I am not covering, but having nice weather would be more appealing for me to do so.
Good luck to the area athletes who are performing in the Relays. it’s a prestigious group of athletes no doubt.
Shortly after Clapper competes in the shot put, the NFL Draft will kick off from Philadelphia.
This is one of my favorite events of the year. When the draft used to be solely on Saturday and Sunday, I used to sit in front of my television and watch every second of it. Since it’s moved to primetime on Thursday and Friday and then all day Saturday, it’s been harder to be a part of live.
That and my priorities have changed since I have been become a husband and a father.
I’m a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan. I have been following the team since Joe Montana and Jerry Rice donned the red and gold.
It hasn’t been that fun lately, sans a four-year stretch with Jim Harbaugh as head coach. The Niners have their third coach in three years.
The new regime with head coach Kyle Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch get their era going with a key draft. They have the No. 2 pick and 10 picks total.
I have been nervous for weeks. I have been listening to any 49ers podcast I can get my ears on trying to figure out what this team will do. I think they need to load up on defense with the first two picks unless they can find a trade-back partner.
Aside from my allegiance to San Francisco, I watch the NFL Draft to follow Iowa and Iowa State guys. I don’t think anyone from Iowa State gets selected, but Drake tight end Eric Saubert has a chance.
I expect Iowa’s Desmond King and Jaleel Johnson to be the first instate guys taken. I think both can go as early as the third round. George Kittle could also be drafted at some point. C.J. Beathard has a chance, too.
In NBA news, Russell Westbrook has been eliminated from the postseason.
As great as he was this season on the court, I’m pleased that I won’t have to see his antics off it anymore.
He bashed a reporter for a legitimate question that wasn’t even intended for him. His Tuesday press conference included a critique of Patrick Beverley’s defense against him.
Yes, Westbrook, we know you scored 40-plus points. But Beverley has a great point in saying it took you 34 shots to get there.
I don’t have a Most Valuable Player award vote, but if I did, it would go to James Harden.
Contact Troy Hyde
at thyde@newtondailynews.com