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Drake Relays spectacle just beginning

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By Andrew Petersen | Thursday, April 24, 2008 |

Day 1 is in the books.

All-in-all, a great showing for area track and field athletes.

In six events, area participants took two titles, and it easily could have been three. Davenport North’s AG Bradford cleared 5-9 in the high jump – a personal best and an inch off the meet record – but she has one more miss than Hannah Williams of Dike-New Hartford.

Day 2 should bring more of the same, in terms of area success. Between three relays, featuring 10 top-tier area teams, more medals certainly are likely.

On a personal note, this was my first Drake Relays experience, and most of things I was overwhelmed/awed by were shared by other Drake first-timers.

Pleasant Valley freshman Anne Martin’s first comment to me was in regard to the “wow factor” of running while a drumline played nonstop.

The strangest thing about the drummers – who ranged in age it appeared from 8 to 18 – was that they did not stop. For a solid two hours, they played on, providing the backbeat to events that more than held the crowd’s interest as it was. In fact, I only noticed the drummers during a rare lull in the action. My thought was always, “Wow. They have yet to stop.”

It’s that extra touch that seems to make the Drake Relays so special.

Friday brings twice the number of event finals with area competitors (12), so I can only hope I have the time to soak in more atmosphere.

Be sure to check back as I’m planning to do all I can to get results of local interest posted online as soon as I can.

Boys shot put starts at 8:30 a.m. … And away we go.