Ryce Reynolds of Mount Ayr runs his victory lap after becoming only the third Mount Ayr athlete to win a Drake Relays event. Reynolds won the 400 meters Friday on the blue oval. See complete coverage on page 11 of today’s Record News. Photo courtesy Scott Vicker
Ryce Reynolds has done it again.
Running at the 113th annual Drake Relays in Des Moines, Reynolds set the school record in the 400 meter dash on Friday, April 28, finishing in 48.46, beating the second place finisher by .06 seconds (48.52).
The championship finish put Reynolds in elite company, becoming only the third ever gold winner at the Drake Relays from Mount Ayr, joining Duane Miller’s long jump performance in 1966 and Brent Geringer’s discus throw in 1974.
Then on Saturday, the Raiders saw the 4×100 team of Preston Fleharty, Braydon Pierson, Tate Dugan and Jaydon Knight compete early in the morning.
The Raiders finished in a time of 44.55, which improved their qualifying time of 44.66, however, they were not in the top 8 and did not move on to the finals.
Reynolds competed again Saturday, this time in the 400 meter hurdles.
Reynolds set another school record with a time of 52.57 and took second overall, just behind first place (52.28).
“It’s awesome knowing that I’ve done something that will be there for athletes that go to Mount Ayr to look at down the road,” said Reynolds. “I’m talking to my parents and hopefully we can get something that can display that [The Drake Relays champion flag] a little better.”
