Running on the blue oval at the Drake Relays is a big honor for all involved and for ADM track and field, the honor is bestowed upon three events. Two of those events belong on the girls side as junior Keaton Kester takes flight in the 100 meter dash on Friday along with ADM’s 4 x 100 meter relay team.

There will be one event for ADM track and field on the docket for tomorrow and that will belong on the boys side of things as senior Jacob West has etched his name into the 24 person high jump field. The interesting thing about that is before last Thursday’s deadline West had the 19th best jump in the state and almost a sure fire in with Drake accepting the top 24, but the field evened out Thursday evening so much that West found himself in a 9 way tie for 20th. Originally when the Drake relay rosters were set, West was not on the docket but recent events have changed that and he is set to jump tomorrow around 4:30 pm.

While head coach Mike Whisner is very proud of his senior high jump star and will focus on him this week, what he is most concerned about comes later on in the season. Coach Whisner told Raccoon Valley Radio that the Drake Relays are great for the kids but have become less important for him as a coach.

“It’s kinda changed over the years, I remember when I first started coaching it was everybody was pretty hyped up; how do we get there and what can we accomplish to get there. It’s pretty tough early in the season because the weather’s not where it needs to be for some events. I don’t have as much importance on that (the Drake Relays) as a coach anymore. I think it’s great for the kids, I get them involved (if not participating) with volunteer work on Friday and Saturday. That’s just icing on the cake and it’s an opportunity for those kids. We’ve gotten a few medals in the Drake Relays over the years so it is a big thing but more importantly where do we go from the Drake Relays to the district and state meet is more of the focus now,” stated coach Whisner.

Once again Jacob West Will take his crack at the Drake Relay high jump event tomorrow around 4:30 while Keaton Kester will take on the girls 100 meter dash 8:31 am Friday morning. The Lady Tiger’s 4 x 100 meter relay team of Sydney Bertman, Sami Schepers, Josi Lonneman, and Keaton Kester will take their turn in the third heat Friday afternoon which begins at 5:10 pm.