April 29: Reigning Olympic Gold Medalist Omar McLeod Announced As Part of World-Class 110-Meter Hurdle Field for the 2017 Drake Relays Presented by Hy-Vee

Press Release
April 5, 2017

DES MOINES, Iowa – Omar McLeod, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games gold medalist in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, is set to lead a field of the world’s top hurdlers at the 2017 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee. As the reigning Drake Relays champion in the event, McLeod is one of six Olympians in the Rio Olympic Games Rematch that includes fan-favorite and world record holder Aries Merritt.

Last year, McLeod also set the Drake Relays record in the event at 13.08 and later took Olympic gold in 13.05 for Jamaica. Merritt, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist was fifth at the Relays last season and has run five of the top 15 110-meter hurdle times in U.S. history, including his world and American record time of 12.80.

Merritt is joined by another of the greatest American hurdlers ever in the event in David Oliver. The Drake Stadium record holder at 12.93, Oliver has the second-fastest 110-meter hurdle time ever by an American and seventh fastest in the world. He was the 2016 Drake Relays runner-up behind McLeod, the 2013 World Champion and a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist

Also joining the field is Andrew Riley, a two-time Olympian from Jamaica, who was the 2013 Drake Relays champion and has extensive experience on the Blue Oval, winning multiple Relays and NCAA titles as a collegian at Illinois. Andrew Pozzi, a two-time Olympian from Great Britain, will make his Drake Relays debut in the event after winning the 60-meter hurdles at the 2017 European Indoor Championship and finishing fourth in the world in the event in 2012 and 2014.

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American Ronnie Ash, an Olympic semifinalist in 2016 is also in the field and boasts a sub-13 second personal best in the event as is Spencer Adams, who was fourth at the Drake Relays in 2016. Finishing behind Adams in seventh last year at the Drake Relays was Aleec Harris who also returns to the Blue Oval.

The men’s triple 110-meter hurdles is scheduled for 2:51 p.m. Saturday, April 29, inside Drake Stadium. Tickets for all sessions of the 2017 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee are available through the Drake Athletic Ticket Office in person, by calling 515-271-3647 or visiting DrakeTix.com.

2017 Drake Relays Presented by Hy-Vee Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Rio Olympic Rematch

* World Record

^ National Record