DES MOINES — A number of world-class athletes will compete during the 113th Drake Relays later this month, including a former Iowa Central standout.

Adva Cohen, who captured several national titles while running track and cross country for the Tritons, is entered into the 3,000 Steeplechase. After leaving Iowa Central, Cohen ran for New Mexico University before representing her home country of Israel at the Summer Olympics.

She enters Drake Relays with a personal record time of 9:29.74 in the event, which is less than three seconds behind Leah Falland’s 2021 meet-record time of 9:32.53. The stadium record belongs to Emma Coburn from 2018 at 9:17.70.

In 2018, Cohen won the university/college division of the Steeplechase for Iowa Central. She is also a three-time Israeli national champion and the Israeli national record holder.

Dalilah Muhammad is entered into the women’s 400 hurdles alongside Gianna Woodruff. Muhammad’s PR is 51.58 and Woodruff’s is 53.69, with both coming in under the meet-record set by Muhammad last year at 53.88.

Muhammad is a two-time Olympic medalist in the event and a former world record holder.

Also, Khallifah Rosser will run in the men’s 400 hurdles. He has gone 47.59, which comes in under Alison Dos Santos’ 2021 record of 48.15 and just behind the stadium mark set by Rai Benjamin in 2019 at 47.23.

Between the Steeplechase and both hurdle events, a total of two Olympic medalists, 11 Olympians, 10 world championship qualifiers and four national record holders will be in attendance.

“The 400-meter hurdles has consistently been one of the most thrilling events on the Blue Oval, and this year will be no different,” said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. “Having a defending Relays champion of Dalilah’s caliber return speaks volumes to the reputation this event has earned. And she’ll be challenged by three other women that have run faster than 54 seconds, including Ashley Spencer, Gianna Woodruff, Anna Cockrell and Tia-Adana Belle.”

Spencer is the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and Cockrell was seventh at the most recent Olympics.

The Drake Relays begin Sunday and continue through Saturday, April 29. High school events will also take to the blue oval during the week.

As of now, no local or area athlete has achieved the “Blue Standard” to automatically qualify, but a number are currently within the qualifying group including Fort Dodge’s Connor Carver in the 110 hurdles.

Webster City’s Jaxon Cherry is in both the discus and shot put with Southeast Valley’s Ethan Ackerson (shot put) and Justin Loseke (discus), and Mason Allen from Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (discus) joining him.

Others include Molly Joyce of Bishop Garrigan (long jump), Makayla Beisel of Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (high jump) and Rachel Schany of Emmetsburg (high jump).

A number of relays are also expected to qualify.