News & Notes: Drake Relays Fallout & New State Leaders

May 02, 2026

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Girls Outdoor Rankings

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The outdoor track & field season is in full swing and we are wrapping up our sixth week of the season in the Hawkeye State. With the state championships rapidly approaching, let's take a look at some of the most recent top performances from across Iowa.

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Iowa Meet Calendar

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Sprint Events - Top Performers

Jayden Jeter, Waukee - The senior set a new IA #1 and US #3 in the 400m hurdles at the Drake Relays, running a blazing 52.25 en route to winning his 4th straight race in the event. He finished 7th at state last season and appears to be the front-runner to win his first state title as he enters the final weeks of his high school career.

Hayden Carlson, Akeny - He extended his winning streak in the 110m hurdles to five straight, remaining unbeaten in 2026 while capturing gold at the Drake Relays. The senior crossed the line in 13.80 - just his third time dipping 14 seconds below (the second coming days before during the prelims) and is now the top-ranked athlete in the state.

Katie Willits, Waukee Northwest - In just her second event of the season, the senior scored a monumental win in the 100m dash at the Drake Relays, running a new personal best time in the prelims of 11.57, a new IA #1.

Maeve Bowen Burt, Iowa City - The sophomore continued her winning ways last week, winning her third appearance in the 400m hurdles in Hamilton. The rising star crossed the line in 62.01, a state-leading time this season and 23rd fastest in the country.

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Field Events - Top Performers

Blake Lovell, Cherokee Washington - One of the state's top throwers in the shot put scored another win this week, winning his 5th competition of the season. The senior set a new personal best, throwing 56-10.25 en route to victory at the Storm Lake Invitational and now has his sights set on improving upon his 6th place finish at state in 2025.

Natalie Nwatchock, North Scott - Perhaps the top performance from some place other than Hamilton happened in Muscatine at the Dick Washburn Invitational. A few days removed from her 6th-place finish at the Drake Relays, the senior scored her third win of the season in the high jump, clearing 5-8, a new personal best and IA #1.

Abby Mecklenburg, Linn-Mar - We've talked about her a few times this year, but the senior has simply become undeniable in 2026. In her fourth long jump competition of the year, Mecklenburg set yet another personal best and IA #1, jumping 20-5.5, the country's 5th best long jump this spring.

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Distance Events - Top Performers

Brennen Hoyer, Cedar Falls - The senior scored a big win at the Drake Relays last week, running a 1:51 in the 800m and setting a state-leading mark as we enter the final month of the season. His new personal best would have placed him 2nd at last year's 4A State Championships and now Hoyer looks to better his 4th place finish from a year ago.

Jack Crossland, Johnston - The junior pulled off an impressive double at the Drake Relays, which was highlighted by a win in the 1,600m, where Johnston set a new IA #1 in the event, running a 4:11. He also finished 7th in the 3,200m, crossing the line in an impressive 9:14.

Lili Denton, St. Albert - We spent a lot of time during our season previews discussing Denton and her distance prowess and we finally got to see it in action last weekend in Hamilton as the senior captured a big win in the 1,500m, running a state-leading 4:25. The new personal best is an IA #1 and US #7.

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News & Notes: Drake Relays Fallout & New State Leaders

Boys Outdoor Rankings

Girls Outdoor Rankings

Iowa Meet Calendar

Sprint Events - Top Performers

Claim Your Athlete Profile

to receive personalized notifications when tagged in results, photos, video & articles

Field Events - Top Performers

Distance Events - Top Performers

Boys Outdoor Rankings

Girls Outdoor Rankings

Iowa Meet Calendar