DES MOINES - It was another banner day for the Iowa Central track and field team at the Drake Relays on Saturday.
Victoria Adu, Hannah Connell, Odell Frye and Jerome Jessup walked away from The Blue Oval with first place finishes while Ashley Micheaux and Jaheem Hayles claimed silvers.
Adu's third attempt was her best, launching the hammer 192-11 (58.81m). She also went 192-2 and 192-0 on her first two attempts, not needing another on the day. She finished over three feet ahead of runner-up Alyssa Conway from Emporia State.
"I really focused on my training in the weeks leading up to this meet," Adu said. "It meant a lot to me to come out of the competition with a victory seeing as there were so many tough athletes to go against."
Connell blazed to the Drake Relays title in the 100 hurdles, clocking a time of 13.63 to finish ahead of Wheaton's Favor Ezewuzie.
Frye posted a 11.66 in the 100 to place first just ahead of Lewis' Jada Hoffman, who crossed the line in 11.69.
Jessup went 10.46 to edge Lincoln's Shemar Fletcher and Isiah Thomas of Indian Hills for gold in the 100.
In the men's 110 hurdles, Jaheem Hayles scored a silver, finishing in 14.04 and just behind Gustavus Adolphus' Taylor Rooney, who won it in 13.98.
Micheaux had her best throw on her fifth attempt, vaulting back into first ahead of Tiara Schmidt of Nebraska-Kearney. However, Micheaux's toss of 46-7.25 (14.20m) was topped by Schmidt on her sixth and final throw at 46-8.
Micheaux also finished 10th in the event with a best of 171-2 (52.17m).
Iowa Central's quartet of Janae Barksdale, Tamara Roby, Connell and Frye finished fourth in the 4x100 relay, clocking a time of 47.20. Minnesota State was first in 45.25.
The men's distance medley of Robin Aguilar Gonzalez, Lee Eppie, Cassius Havis and Kelvin Bungei placed seventh in 10:25.73. Eppie won the 400 on Friday for his first Relays title.
The Tritons now prepare for the Region XI Championships, which begin Sunday and Monday for the multi-events with the rest competing next Saturday and Sunday in Council Bluffs. The NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are May 11-13 in Levelland, Texas.
-By Dana Becker