The stage was set this year for the Drake Relays with 8 of the top 10 (Jim Dilling, Dusty Jonas, Tora Harris, Andra Manson, Keith Moffat, Jamie Nieto, Scott Sellers and myself) ranked high jumpers in the nation all in the same competition.  The day before the meet Des Moines was beautiful with sunny skies and 85 degree weather.  Then Saturday morning we wake up to rain, wind and 40 degrees!  This was disapointing to say the least but what can you do.....

During the warm ups it seemed like everyone was struggling.  The pit didnt seem like a pit it seemed more like a soaked sponge.  Landing on that thing was like diving into a pool of water.  Then they announced the opening height to us and to everyones surprise it was 2.15m (7-0.5).  I feel like if the weather was nice 2.15m would be perfectly fine but under there conditions its seemed silly to have such a high opening height.  (Looking back I thought they should have had an opening height lowered 5 to 10cm)  As the warm ups went on I myself started feeling adapting to the weather and gaining confidence for the start of the competition.   

I was in the middle of the order and was the first to clear 2.15m after 5 jumpers missed the opening height on the first attempt.  For me this first jump was a good jump.  I was happy and started gaining confidence.  After 4 people NH'ed the bar then went up to 2.20m (7-2.5). 

After watching all the jumpers at the previous height I knew that if I could make this bar on the first attempt I would probably win the meet.  I knew I had to make this bar.  And I did just that.  It was a poorly excecuted jump but I managed to make the bar with some room to spare.  And then 4 more people are eliminated from the competition with only 3 of us remaining. 

I felt like now I was in control of the competition.  Fortunately it was good enough for the W.  On all three of my jumps at 2.24m (7-4.25) I felt as though I was trying to get off the ground fast but couldn't do it for some reason.  I could not set up my take off the way I normally do.  I knew I was more than capable of making that next bar but ultimately could not get her done!  The other two competitors missed out at that height and I was named the winner. 

I was of course happy with the win but it was bittersweet.  Who knows what would have happend if the weather was different.  I love competing at the Drake Relays despite the cold and rain there were still a lot of fans getting into every jump which made it a lot of fun for us jumpers.  For the 100th Anniversary of the Drake Relays it will be a rememborable one for me because fo the win and the weather. 

I am looking forward to competing again.  The next competition for me will be May 9 in Eugene, OR (Oregon Twilight Meet).  If the weather is nice a jump over 2.30m would be nice....so we will see what happens