Some of the top track and field athletes from the Midwest are scheduled to compete in the 31st annual Eastern Relays this weekend at the University of Louisville’s Cardinal Park.
Several open and medley events are set for Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday’s action will begin at 9:30 a.m. (field events) and 10 a.m. (running events).
This year will mark the first time the Eastern Relays will include unified athletes through the Special Olympics program.
“I have had the opportunity to get to know many of our unified athletes at Eastern both in the classroom and on the track and can’t wait to see them compete on a big stage like the Eastern Relays,” said Eastern coach and event organizer Mike Horan.
Athletes from seven states – Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri and North Carolina – are scheduled to compete.
Horan said Friday’s boys 3,200 race could be one of the most competitive of the weekend. Andrew Jordan of Ohio’s Watkins Memorial is an Iowa State signee and is the top seed with a time of 8 minutes, 54.82 seconds. Horan said several others have a chance to finish sub-9:00.
“The depth in that race is pretty remarkable,” Horan said.
Horan said others to watch include Henry Clay’s Jaron Brooks, an Auburn University signee who is one of the nation’s top high jumpers, and Paul Dunbar’s Will Allen (Alabama signee) in the 400. The girls 800, featuring Manual’s Emma Kuntz and Central’s Bryanna Lucas, also has a deep and competitive field.
Tickets are $8 on Friday and Saturday.