(Des Moines, IA) — Thursday night at the Drake Relays will once again spotlight elite talent in the throwing events, as the World Athletics Continental Tour (WACT) brings top-tier hammer throw and javelin competition to the infield.
Event director Blake Boldon says the Thursday Night Throws have become one of the most electric parts of the week, with this year’s lineup expected to deliver another high-energy start to the Relays festivities.
The women’s hammer throw features a deep field of Olympians and international standouts, led by defending champion Brooke Andersen. One of the world’s premier throwers, Andersen owns a personal best of 80.17 meters, ranking second all-time in U.S. history and fourth in the world. She is one of just four women ever to surpass the 80-meter mark.
She’ll be pushed by a strong group that includes Annette Echikunwoke, last year’s third-place finisher and 2024 Olympic silver medalist, along with fellow American Olympian Erin Reese. International contenders include Canada’s Jillian Weir and Greece’s Stamatia Scarvelis, both seasoned competitors on the global stage.
Additional depth comes from Rachel Richeson, Nayoka Clunis of Jamaica, Liberia’s Annie Nabwe, Great Britain’s Anna Purchase, and Kali Terza.
On the men’s side, American record holder Rudy Winkler headlines the hammer throw. A multiple-time Olympian and former Drake Relays champion, Winkler holds a personal best of 83.16 meters. He is joined by a talented field that includes Olympians Rowan Hamilton, Daniel Haugh, and Christos Frantzeskakis.
The competition also features Kostas Zaltos, Trey Knight, Tanner Berg, Tyler Williams, Kade McCall, and Ryan Johnson, a former Relays champion during his time at Iowa.
In the women’s javelin, defending champion Rhema Otabor returns after setting the Bahamian national record at 64.19 meters. She faces a competitive group that includes U.S. Olympian Ariana Ince and Madison Wiltrout, who finished runner-up last year and qualified for the 2025 World Championships.
New Zealand’s Tori Moorby brings Olympic experience and multiple national titles, while Germany’s Jana Lowka, Great Britain’s Elizabeth Korczak, and South Africa’s McKyla Van Der Westhuizen add international depth. Maddie Harris and Sara Blake round out the American contingent.
The men’s javelin field is led by Curtis Thompson, one of the most decorated athletes in the event. A two-time Olympian, Thompson earned bronze at the 2025 World Championships and ranks third all-time in U.S. history with a throw of 87.76 meters. He finished second at last year’s Relays.
Defending champion Keyshawn Strachan of the Bahamas returns, along with international competitors Sindri Hrafn Gudmundsson of Iceland and Denmark’s Arthur Petersen. Jamaica’s Elvis Graham also joins the field.
American standouts Dash Sirmon, Marc Minichello, and Mike Stein complete a loaded lineup for Thursday night’s showcase.
The Thursday Night Throws once again promise a powerful and exciting start to one of track and field’s premier events.
Tickets to the 2026 Drake Relays are available for purchase here.
Drake Relays Women’s Hammer Throw Field
Brooke Andersen
Nayoka Clunis
Annette Echikunwoke
Annie Nabwe
Anna Purchase
Erin Reese
Rachel Richeson
Stamatia Scarvelis
Kali Terza
Jillian Weir
Drake Relays Men’s Hammer Throw Field
Tanner Berg
Christos Frantzeskakis
Daniel Haugh
Rowan Hamilton
Ryan Johnson
Trey Knight
Kade McCall
Tyler Williams
Rudy Winkler
Kostas Zaltos
Drake Relays Women’s Javelin Field
Sarah Blake
Maddie Harris
Ariana Ince
Lizzy Korczak
Jana Lowka
Tori Moorby
Rhema Otabor
McKyla Van Der Westhuizen
Madison Wiltrout
Drake Relays Men’s Javelin Field
Elvis Graham
Sindri Hrafn Gudmundsson
Marc Minichello
Arthur Petersen
Dash Sirmon
Mike Stein
Keyshawn Strachan
Curtis Thompson
