One of the largest track meets in the country, the Drake Relays, is under way in Des Moines.  Dozens of high school and college athletes will be taking part in the Relays, which run through Saturday (4/27).  Oskaloosa High senior Emma Kelderman has qualified for the Relays in the high jump, 400 meter hurdles and with the Indians’ 4 by 100 meter relay team.  She talks about the mental preparation for competing at the Drake Relays.

“For me, a lot of it is focusing on doing the same things I do at a regular meet and not psyching myself out about it, the fact that it’s a bigger stage, I guess.  It’s just keeping that good mindset about that.  For the high jump, it’s more of an individual thing, I’ve got to focus on what I need to do.  (It’s) the same even with 400 hurdles.  But for me, 400 hurdles, I focus a lot on just pushing myself and making sure I stay ahead of that girl behind me, or if there’s a girl ahead of me, I’ve got to push to catch up with her.  The 4 by 100, I think it’s important we have a team mentality and that we’re we’re on the same page before the race starts, we get some good handoffs in and just little things like that.”

Oskaloosa’s Sophia Dykstra and Faith DeRonde will be competing Thursday (4/25) in the girls’ discus. On Friday (4/26), the rest of the Indians’ boys and girls delegation will have their chance to shine on the blue oval at Drake.