IFA's Janssen Nears Drake Relays Qualifying

Junior hurdler Izzy Janssen eyes return to prestigious track meet.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:57pm

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Iowa Falls-Alden junior Izzy Janssen is close to qualifying for the prestigious Drake Relays in the girls 100-meter hurdles for the second straight season. With a new personal best time of 15.12 seconds, Janssen sits just outside the automatic qualifying mark and is currently ranked eighth in the state.

Why it matters

The Drake Relays is one of the top high school track and field events in the Midwest, drawing top talent from across the region. Qualifying for the Drake Relays is a major accomplishment for any high school athlete and can open doors for college recruitment and future success.

The details

Janssen, competing at the Colfax-Mingo Early Bird meet, ran a new personal best time of 15.12 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles, just missing the automatic qualifying mark of 15.10 seconds. That time currently ranks her eighth in the state, and the top 32 times qualify for the Drake Relays. Janssen has four more meets before the April 16 qualifying deadline to solidify her spot.

  • Janssen ran her new PR of 15.12 seconds at the Colfax-Mingo Early Bird meet last week.
  • The Drake Relays qualifying deadline is April 16.

The players

Izzy Janssen

A junior hurdler at Iowa Falls-Alden High School who is close to qualifying for the prestigious Drake Relays for the second straight season.

Iowa Falls-Alden High School

The high school Janssen attends, where she competes on the track and field team.

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What’s next

Janssen has four more meets before the April 16 Drake Relays qualifying deadline to solidify her spot in the prestigious event.

The takeaway

Janssen's strong performance and near-automatic qualifying time for the Drake Relays showcase her talent and dedication as a hurdler, and highlight the significance of this achievement for both the athlete and her high school program.