Local athletes featured in Drake Relays

By CNA Staff Report

April 23, 2026 at 5:35 am CDT

Creston junior Tom Mikkelsen won the shot put, throwing 54-10.25. In the discus, he took silver with a mark of 151-05.

Tom Mikkelsen is one of five Creston athletes competing at the Drake Relays this weekend. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

It’s time for the best of the best to gather in Des Moines at the Drake Relays. Local schools are sending a variety of events and the Class 1A competitors are showing that rural Iowa can keep up with the big guys.

On Thursday, Morgan Cooley of East Union will compete in boys discus, scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Cooley comes back Friday morning, joined by Creston’s Tom Mikkelsen for boys shot put at 9 a.m. Cooley is ranked No. 2 in shot put.

Aubree Shields of Mount Ayr is the mark to beat when the girls high jump competes at 9:30 a.m. the same day.

On Saturday, two area 4x100 teams will compete in the preliminary race at 9 a.m. Avery Staver, Cora Smith, Kadley Bailey and Braylee Pokorny comprise Creston’s team, while Mount Ayr brings Chloe Robb, Shields, Kate Newton and Emma Reynolds. The girls 4x100 finals will be held at 2:35 p.m.