DES MOINES, Iowa – Four distance runners will toe the line on the Blue Oval for the 113^th Drake Relays Thursday at Drake Stadium.
 
Clayton Duchatschek and Miranda Dick are set to race in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Bryce Merriman will take on the 1500 meters and Iestyn Williams will run the 800 meters.
 
Last time out, Duchatschek ran a personal-best 8:52.49 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, moving up to seventh all-time in Wichita State history. The reigning American Athletic Conference champion in the event currently ranks second in the conference to Tulsa's Christian Baker, who is also slated to run in section one of the University/College race. Baker and Duchatschek are seeded eighth and 14^th, respectively, and will race each other for the first time this season just two weeks ahead of the AAC Outdoor Championships in Tampa, Fla.
 
Dick is set to run her second steeplechase of the season after recording a personal-best 11:03.99 at the KT Woodman Classic earlier this year. She currently sits in eighth in the conference and looks to break the 11-minue barrier as she takes on one conference foe in her heat and another will race in the second heat. Tulane's Allie Nelson will race in the same section and currently ranks fourth in the AAC with just a seven-second separation between her and Dick.
 
Merriman will race the 1500 meters for the second time this season and holds a personal best of 3:46.52 from the 2021 AAC Outdoor Championships. He will run in the fast section and will have one conference opponent in his heat, Tulane's Bradley Makuvire, who is making his season debut in the event. Merriman currently ranks 15^th in the conference in thee 1500 meters.
 
After opening the season with an unattached 800-meter race (1:52.00), Iestyn Williams has run two more 800s, most recently running a personal-best 1:51.65 to win the Midwest Classic and move up to fourth in the conference. Williams will run in the second section of the unseeded university/college race.
 
MEET SCHEDULE (WSU)
Thursday
5:15 p.m. – 1500m – Bryce Merriman
5:45 p.m. – 800m – Iestyn Williams
6:24 p.m. – W 3K Steeplechase – Miranda Dick
6:48 p.m. – M 3K Steeplechase – Clayton Duchatschek