'This atmosphere is just so incredible': Solon's Gracie Federspiel embraces the Drake Relays

It’s Thursday night and Gracie Federspiel and the Solon girls track team are headed to Des Moines for the Drake Relays.

The nearly two-hour commute is not only that of excitement for the reigning 3A state champions but also an opportunity for growth. Federspiel welcomes a challenge, whether that’s improving her individual times or competing against elite completion on the Blue Oval.

“I think just being able to be in races that push me and getting that experience of the nerves and big crowds…which we don’t get a whole lot in Eastern Iowa,” Federspiel said. “This atmosphere is just so incredible and it really hypes you up a lot more so I’m just really grateful for that.”

Federspiel, the daughter of a former high school track athlete, started running cross country in middle school when a family friend urged her to start competing. It turned out to be the starting point for her track career.

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Her first Drake Relays appearance came as a sophomore in 2022, then there was another in 2023 as a junior. Fast-forward to 2024, and the fourth-year Spartan steps onto the Blue Oval for the first time as an Iowa State commit.

Federspiel placed ninth in the 800 meters and 13th in the 400 meters. The results weren’t what she was hoping for, but it doesn’t hinder her passion for the sport.

"Honestly, getting beat sometimes is the best thing you need just to be like, 'Hey you lost, there's something to fix and something to work on,'" Federspiel said. “Obviously not what I wanted but I’m trying to trust the plans and just trust my coaches, they know what they’re doing, and just trust myself."

Heading into this year's event, Federspiel admitted she possessed a much more confident approach; a difference from her previous experiences at the Blue Oval.

"I would just say I have a lot more confidence in myself," Federspiel said. "Just having that mentality and honestly having a lot more belief in myself and just trusting everything that's happening because everything has a purpose.

Federspiel is no stranger to facing elite competition at Drake Stadium. She won back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023 with Solon. Her goal after the Drake Relays: add another state title to the Spartans' trophy case.

More: Check out some of the records broken Friday at the Drake Relays

“I’m so grateful to be here, I know there’s so many people that want to be here so just being grateful for it all... it's just really incredible and I’m very grateful for it so that's why I try to bring my best every time I’m here.”

Federspiel has her eyes set on lifting a state trophy before graduation, but she's excited to showcase her talents as a Cyclone in the fall.

"I think I'm just looking forward to being around good people to train with, maybe not being the best but being able to train with some of the best," Federspiel said.

Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com, and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Solon's Gracie Federspiel embraces challenge at Drake Relays