WEBSTER CITY QUALIFIERS FOR THE DRAKE RELAYS are (left to right) Aiden Hrnicek, Keegan Hisler, CJ Hisler, Jaxon Cherry, Jayden Weinzetl and Luke Estlund. (DFJ photo by Tyler Anderson)

It’s an experience that — as a student-athlete — you don’t forget.

The splashes of blue, the vast multitude of athletes ranging from high school and intercollegiate to masters and open class, and the swelling crowd that fills up a particular stadium in the heart of Des Moines.

It takes a gifted athlete to qualify, and it takes even more from within to win.

This weekend, the members of the Webster City boys’ track and field team and the South Hamilton girls’ track and field team will try their hand at glory, as they prepare to compete at the 113th Drake Relays at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

Representing the Lynx are junior Jaxon Cherry in the shot put and discus throw, the 4×100-meter relay team consisting of junior Keegan Hisler, senior CJ Hisler, freshman Aiden Hrnicek, sophomore Jayden Weinzetl and sophomore Luke Estlund. The Hisler brothers, Cherry and Weinzetl are the primary runners. Hrnicek and Estlund will serve as alternates.

The Hawks bring senior Kate Barkema, juniors Tanna Thompson and Ashlyn Erickson, and sophomore Sydnee Flaugh.

Cherry will be the first area student-athlete to be in action, hurling the silver sphere at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday before slinging the disc at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

Saturday is where both the Lynx and Hawk relay teams will be ready to go, as South Hamilton starts the day with their 9:30 a.m. preliminary event.

According to Dan Brodie, SH girls’ track coach, the relay team that is taking the trip to the Blue Oval is an “experienced group.” The quartet were quite impressive when paired together, as the squad of Thompson, Flaugh, Erickson and Barkema qualified on their first time handing off batons.

The team of Hisler, Hisler, Cherry and Weinzetl take to the track at 9:58 a.m. for their preliminaries. For senior CJ Hisler, it’s more so about beating out their best times.

“We look to beat our own personal records and just have fun at Drake,” CJ said. “That’s what it’s all about for us. It’s a really cool experience, especially for freshmen and sophomores. I’ve been there for a couple of years in a row, and I think it’s one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had in high school.”

Along with having fun, CJ pointed out that the key to doing well on the Blue Oval is a routine of practice and healthiness.

“It’s making sure that we have our sticks down, eating right before we head down and making sure that we’re hydrated,” CJ said.

While heading down for the Drake Relays is a treat all to itself, the one meet that matters for both the Lynx and the Hawks is the one that takes place at the end of the season — the Iowa High School Track & Field Championships. However, it’s a great way to get prepared for the big meet.

“It’s a really good preparation for state,” said CJ. “You run at the same place, and the crowd will be the same size. It’s good for our younger teammates, particularly.”

113th Drake Relays

Schedule of Events (DFJ area)

Thursday, April 27

4:30 p.m. — Shot Put (Jaxon Cherry, Webster City)

Friday, April 28

8:30 a.m. — Discus Throw (Jaxon Cherry, Webster City)

Saturday, April 29

9:30 a.m. — 4×100-meter relay (South Hamilton girls, prelims)

9:58 a.m. — 4×100-meter relay (Webster City boys, prelims)

4:29 p.m. — 4×100-meter relay (South Hamilton girls, finals)

4:34 p.m. — 4×100-meter relay (Webster City boys, finals)