(Eugene, OR) – Multiple Drake Relays Alumni and Iowa natives are going to be representing the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
A total of seven Drake Replays Alumni have officially made the United States Olympic Team. In the Men’s Pole Vault Final, four-time Drake Relays Champion, Sam Hendricks, won the pole vault with a meet record 19-5. He previously was the bronze medalist in the 2016 Olympics in the Pole Vault. Chris Nilsen, 2019 Drake Relays Champion in the Pole Vault, earned second overall at 19-3 and was a former silver medalist in the 2021 Olympics.
In the Javelin Final, Curtis Thompson won with a season-best 272-5 to make his first Olympic team after earning sixth in the 2024 Drake Relays. Capers Williamson finished second overall with a throw of 261-0 to make his first Olympic team after finishing in fifth at the 2024 Drake Relays.
Moving over to the Women’s Hammer Throw Final, Annette Echikunwoke won the event with a season-best throw of 245-0 to make her first Olympic team after earning fourth in the 2023 Drake Relays. Erin Reese came in third in the finals to advance to the Olympic team for the first time after also earning third in the Drake Relays.
Lastly, Kenny Bednarerk, the 2019 Drake Relays Champion, earned second with a personal-best time of 9.87 to make his second straight Olympic team.
