Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Southeast Valley's Kiersten Fisher will compete in both the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump at the Drake Relays on Thursday.

DES MOINES — As a freshman, Kiersten Fisher made a statement at the Drake Relays.

In her final season at Southeast Valley, the Jaguar senior hopes to leave it all on the track again at the Blue Oval.

Fisher, who competed here during both her freshman and sophomore campaigns, will be in the 100-meter hurdles and the high jump on Thursday inside Drake Stadium.

The future University of Iowa Hawkeye already has a silver medal in the high jump from Drake, clearing 5-6 during her rookie season. In her return to Des Moines as a sophomore, she was 19th in the high jump and 30th in the 100-meter hurdles.

“After going to Drake Relays my freshman year, it became a goal of mine to qualify for Drake every year,” Fisher said. “So when it was canceled (in 2020), I was very devastated. It made it that much more exciting, though, when I qualified (this time around).”

After not being able to compete due to the COVID-19 global pandemic last spring, Fisher is excited to get back to the Drake Relays.

“For my senior year, I am extremely grateful that I am able to have a track season and compete one last time,” Fisher said.

Fisher enters with the fifth best qualifying jump at 5-4. She is 24th in the 100-meter hurdles.

As a sophomore at state, Fisher won the high jump, was second in the 100-meter dash and placed eighth in the 110-meter hurdles.

Humboldt’s Kendal Clark and West Bend-Mallard’s Rachel Fehr will also be returning to Drake Stadium.

“It’s a great feeling to be back after expecting a season and not having one last year,” Clark said. “I’ve just kept working on it (to get to this point).

“Trying to get my footwork better. It’s great to be able to have this (opportunity) back.”

As a sophomore, Clark competed in the discus at the Drake Relays and the state track meet. She was 15th at Drake and 18th at state.

“It’s a great feeling to be at Drake, where everyone there is really good and throwing their best,” Clark said. “I didn’t throw the shot much, but now I’m getting it down and it’s my favorite to throw.”

Clark enters with the second-best throw in the discus (135-0.8.5) and third-best toss in the shot put (42-10.5).

“You face the best of the best at Drake,” Clark said. “It’s good to have someone to push yourself. It will be very competitive.

“I’m just thankful for God, my family and friends as well, as coaches each day to be able to compete.”

Fehr hit the Drake Relays stage as a sophomore and took 10th in the 400-meter dash. At the state meet in 2019, she was the Class 1A 400-meter dash champion, while taking third in the 800.

She enters with the 12th-best time in the 400.

Manson Northwest Webster will send a pair of field events to Des Moines. Senior Lexi Wood enters 22nd in the shot put, and junior Jaynie Wiese has the fifth-best mark in the high jump.

Bishop Garrigan sophomore Audi Crooks has the fourth-best throw in the shot put (42-0.65). North Union junior Samantha Nielsen (high jump) and Greene County senior Brooklyn Olson (shot put) are also entered.

With attendance limited this season, eight hours of high school competition will air live on Thursday via Mediacom Channel MC22, and broadcast with a live stream on RunnerSpace.com