Former Dowling Catholic prep Kelsey Schweizer claims Drake Relays title in college 800

Like big sister Karissa, Kelsey Schweizer earned her time in the spotlight at the Drake Relays.

The fifth-year Missouri senior dominated the final 300 meters of the women's university/college 800 Friday while taking her first college Relays flag in 2 minutes, 6.23 seconds.

"It is nice to be able to do this for all of the Iowans here, especially my parents," Schweizer said. "It's so nice to be back. Getting an individual one (flag) means a lot, especially with my last year running (in college)."

Owning a last name like Schweizer has always carried difficult expectations for the youngest of Mike and Kathy Schweizer's children.

Kelsey's grandfather, Frank, was an NCAA Division II All-American at Mankato State (now known as Minnesota State) before coaching cross country at Dowling Catholic for more than four decades. Mike also was an All-American runner at Mankato.

Brother Ryan won eight state titles in track and took the Class 4A state cross country title as a senior at Dowling Catholic.

Then there's Karissa. She won six NCAA titles at Missouri, as well as two Relays titles for the Tigers in the 5,000 and the distance medley relay in 2018. Karissa set the Drake 5,000 record that year, in 15:23.21. The Nike Bowerman Track Club athlete has gone on to finish 11th in the 5,000 and 12th in the 10,000 at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Kelsey admits she was unsure if a day like Friday would ever arrive.

"I didn't know if I was going to run in college, just the expectations of my family," Kelsey said. "I didn't really love it (running). I was just doing it because I felt like it was what I was supposed to do. Throughout college, I have grown to really enjoy running. I love the 800 so being back here is amazing."

Kelsey won Friday by 2.61 seconds. She is the first Missouri woman to win the Relays title in the 800. Her white Relays flag will pair nicely with the one she captured while running on Dowling Catholic's winning 4x800 relay in 2017.

Now, she turns her attention to beating her outdoor best of 2:05.83 and earning a trip to NCAA nationals at Eugene, Oregon, in June.

"It's really encouraging to be able to run a low 2:06," Kelsey said. "I know it will come and hopefully that will be at regionals. I'm ready for that breakthrough race."

Men's 400 university/college

Fifth-year senior Payton Mauldin provided a big moment for Dordt University.

The reigning NAIA 600-meter record holder topped a mixed field that included NCAA Division I and II competitors while running 46.38 seconds, .4 ahead of Bethel's Jacob Parent.

Mauldin spread his arms as he crossed the finish line.

"I thought I hit 45 (seconds)," he said. "I looked up and thought, 'Oh, shoot.' "

The former Central Lyon-GLR prep showed his fitness when he anchored the Defenders' 4x400 relay in the first round and came back just about an hour later to run in the 400.

"I'm an 800 guy who goes down to the 4 (400)," Mauldin said. "I feel like I'm going to be able to bounce back just a little bit better than some of those guys that run the 2 (200) and the 4 (400) more than the 8 (800)."

His best performances could still be ahead. He found out three weeks ago he has sports-enduced asthma.

"I've been puffing on an inhaler for the last three weeks so that's helped a little bit," Mauldin said.

Mauldin never ran at the Drake Relays as a prep, but the reigning NAIA 600-meter indoor champion has made up for lost opportunities. This was third Relays flag with Dordt, but first as an individual after the Defenders won college titles in the 4x800 in 2021 and the distance medley relay in 2022.

Men's university/college shot put

Northern Iowa true freshman Spencer Kessel dedicated his first Relays title to his late brother, Samuel.

The former Louisa Muscatine prep was in Cedar Falls and preparing to make his college debut at the Jimmy Grant Alumni Invitational in Iowa City when he received word on Nov. 28 from his family that Samuel, 22, had died in a car accident.

Spencer later got a tattoo containing some of Samuel's ashes.

"I'm trying to win everything for him," Spencer said. "Before that first meet, he sent (me) a text and said he was so proud of me."

Spencer, the youngest of three siblings, said he and Samuel, the middle child and living in Iowa City at the time of his death, did not have a close relationship.

"I feel bad for that," Spencer said. "It's brought our whole family together."

Spencer won the title with a throw of 17.62 meters, or 57 feet, 9 3/4 inches. He won by more than a foot.

Men's university 4x800

Iowa State restarted its winning streak in this event.

A year after having its four-year streak of victories ended by Nebraska last year, the Cyclones were back on top. Freshman Devan Kipyego, sophomore Emanuel Galdino, senior Tyler Carreon and senior Peter Smith took the win in 7:22.53, almost 10 seconds ahead of Indiana State.

"It's cool to continue that legacy of those guys who I personally look up to a lot," Carreon said. "I think we all are very proud to continue that and continue what they started and continue to lay the foundation for other teams."

"Coach (Jeremy Sudbury) just said to have fun," Galdino said. "This is a once-every-year thing to do. Let's make it special."

Women's 4 x 1,600 relay

Notre Dame stormed away from defending champion Iowa State while crushing a nine-year-old record. The quartet of Siona Chisolm, Claire Sievern, Andrea Markezich and Olivia Markezich covered the nearly four-mile distance in 18:44.15 after waiting out an hour-long weather delay.

"I'm still in shock. We just did that," second runner and graduate student Claire Sievern said. "I'm really proud of everyone."

The victory was extra special for sisters Andrea and Olivia, both graduate students who are competing together in college for the first time this academic year. Andrea transferred from Washington to Notre Dame before cross country season.

"This is so special. I was able to hand off the baton to Olivia," Andrea said. "That's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Olivia, who ran on the Fighting Irish's Relays record distance medley relay in 2021, owned a lead of 80 meters when she took the final handoff.

"If I run decent, I knew we'd get the record," Olivia said. "I was just trying to lap more people. It's always fun coming back here."

Iowa State, with Ashlyn Keeney and Janette Schraft returning this year, clocked 19:06.26 for second. Oklahoma State owned the old Relays record of 18:58.11.

Men's invitational shot put

Three-time All-American Cam Jones of Iowa State built momentum for the Big 12 Conference meet by defeating an eight-man field with a top throw of 19.75 meters, or 64 feet, 9 3/4 inches, on his fifth throw. The former Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep had the same toss of 63-2 1/4 as runner-up Kevin Shubert of Nebraska after four rounds before landing his top toss.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ex-Dowling prep Kelsey Schweizer claims Drake Relays college 800 title