One of the great traditions in Iowa high school sports will feature a number of local high school track and field athletes. Six local individuals and four relay teams have qualified for the high school portion of the 2024 Drake Relays at the famous blue oval in Des Moines.

That group includes Mid-Prairie’s Danielle Hostetler. The defending Class 2A state champion in the 3,000-meter run will represent the Golden Hawks at the Drake Relays in the 1,500 meters.

Fellow Mid-Prairie senior Emma Lueck also qualifies in the long jump, and the Golden Hawks’ 4-by-100-meter relay team will also be in Des Moines, as will the 4-by-100 team for the Washington Demons.

On the boys’ side, Washington senior Micah Rees will run in the 3,200, while Demon sophomore Josh Anderson and Mid-Prairie junior Jayden Stafford both make it in the 400-meter wheelchair races.

Washington will be joined by the Columbus Wildcats as area teams competing in the boys’ 4-by-100, while Winfield-Mount Union senior Cam Buffington will try to add to his 2023 Class 1A state title in the long jump by competing in the event in Des Moines.

The high school division of the 2024 Drake Relays begins Thursday afternoon, with Buffington competing in the long jump at 5 p.m. being the first of the local athletes.