DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake Relays director Brian Brown continued to roll out world-class fields for the upcoming 2014 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee with the announcement of the 400-meter hurdle and pole vault fields for the World Championship Rematches. Brown also announced the foundation for the World Championship Rematch fields in the pole vault and popular Pole Vault in the Mall at Jordan Creek Town Center. Both the men’s and women’s lineups will feature familiar faces and the reigning Relays and Mall champions returning to defend their titles.
Bjorn Otto swept the men’s pole vault events last year in Des Moines and returns to Iowa after taking bronze at the World Championships. He will face two strong competitors in 2012 OIympic gold medalist and current indoor world record holder Renaud Lavillenie along with American record holder Brad Walker. All three are currently ranked in the top six in the world with Lavillenie and Otto checking in at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.
Yarisley Silva will attempt to defend both of her 2013 Relays titles after taking bronze at the World Championships. She was also the 2012 Olympic silver medalist, but her Relays titles will again be challenged by the world’s No. 1 vaulter, Jenn Suhr. Suhr took silver ahead of Yarisley at the World Championships and was the 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the event. The top two vaulters in the world will face two other competitors ranked in the top 10 in the world in Kylie Hutson and Mary Saxer. more
