Waukee's Gray caps memorable family weekend at Drake Relays

How does one family celebrate two Drake Relays champions? Loudly enough to merit an apology.

Waukee's Patrick and Mary Gray took part in a sibling shuttle — running on back-to-back winning shuttle hurdle relays Saturday at Drake Stadium.

Meanwhile, family members hooted and hugged in the stands.

"Once it was done, I said, 'I'm sorry I'm so obnoxious,' to the people all around us, because I was screaming the whole time," said Cathy Gray, their mother.

Hurdling is a Gray family sport. Dad David ran in high school. Oldest son Riley was on Waukee's winning shuttle two years ago.

There are now three Drake champs in one household. Eighth-grader Evan is waiting for his chance.

"Hopefully, we'll have a fourth champion," said Patrick, who also anchored Waukee's winning 4x400.

The Grays were joined by other Drake celebrations Saturday. Dowling Catholic's Ryan Schweizer won a third title for the weekend and West Burlington Notre Dame became what is believed to be the smallest Iowa program to win the 4x100 since the race began in 1924.

Mary, who also played on Waukee's state champion basketball team, ran with Hannah Schau, Lauren Nelson and Danielle Modrell.

Her brother teamed with Kalen Renshaw, Justin Brown and Nick Wessels in the following race. It was the third straight Drake win for the boys. Lauren's brother, Erik, won the discus on Friday.

A football injury left Patrick with a metal plate and seven screws in an ankle. But when track season arrived, he was ready to run. He also took second in the Drake 400 hurdles.

"We kind of have a legacy of hard work," he said.

Cathy and other Waukee families cheered and embraced after the wins.

"I looked up at my husband and he had tears in his eyes," Cathy said.

Dowling's Schweizer completed a Drake trifecta when he won the 1,600.

Schweizer won the 800 and anchored the 1,600-meter medley relay on Friday, setting Drake records in both events.

He ran 4:18.18 to win the 1,600. Joshua Yeager of Center Point-Urbana took second in 4:20.21.

"Coming into this weekend having no Drake Relays flags, and leaving with three of them, it's crazy," said Schweizer, a junior. "There's no way to explain it."

Gilbert's Thomas Pollard, who won the 3,200 Thursday, did not compete in the race because of a back injury.

Pleasant Valley won the 4x800. Anchor Andrew Dixon overcame a leg injury that he feared would prevent him from running at Drake.

"I've never been injured before," Dixon said. "I was really nervous. I thought I was in trouble."

West Burlington Notre Dame won four Drake events. On Saturday, Jacob Smith won the 400 hurdles and the program took the 4x100.

The two schools, West Burlington and Burlington Notre Dame, have a combined 400 students.

"That's history," Williams said. "We're like the underdog, but we're the fastest."