(From godarkebulldogs.com) DES MOINES – On the opening day of Iowa high school track and field season and the first practices of the year, the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee announced additions to the high school fields for the 2019 edition of “America’s Athletic Classic”.

The Iowa high school boys and girls divisions will add the 400-meter dash to the competition schedule running two heats of eight in a timed final, tentatively scheduled for early in the Friday evening session on April 26.  This will be the first new event in the high school division since the boys shuttle hurdle relay was added in 2009.

“For the third consecutive year, I’m proud that our initial Drake Relays announcement comes on the first day of Iowa High School track practice.  The 400-meters is an iconic track and field event”, stated Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director.  “A few years ago we saw Kirani James run an amazing 44.08.  Now we get to see Iowa’s best high school athletes test themselves at this distance on the Blue Oval.”

The high school 4×100 relay will also see a change increasing from 80 entries to 96 selected teams for the boys and girls events and moving back to its previous position on the schedule of Saturday morning, April 27, with finals later that afternoon.  The selected fields will be based on times submitted in the online entry process which opens on Monday, March 4th.

“The expansion of the 4×100 affords more teams and athletes the opportunity to experience the energy of the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee.  The number of teams now mirrors the number of 4×100 relay teams that qualify for the state meet and we hope this continues to grow the sport statewide”, continued Boldon.

The “High School Blue Standards” for 2019 have been set, including the addition of the 400 meters.  If any of these marks are attained prior to the entry deadline for the Drake Relays, that athlete is guaranteed to be in the meet provided their coach follows the entry procedures.  An athlete does not have to meet these standards to be considered for entry in the Drake Relays. We encourage those who achieve the Blue Standard to post on social media mentioning @DrakeRelays using the hashtags #MYDRAKERELAYS and #BLUEOVALBOUND. The 2019 Blue Standards can be found HERE.

Today’s news also includes the announcement of a new ticket package opportunity.  The Drake Ticket Office announced today that group ticket packages are available for the first time, allowing any group of ten or more to reserve seats in the south end of the stadium at a reduced rate.  All-Session tickets are now on sale at draketix.com/drakerelays or call 515-271-3647.  For group ticket packages or more information, contact Dustin in the Drake Ticket Office at 515-271-4949.

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school basketball poll with first-place votes in parentheses and won-loss record, total points and position last week at right:

Others receiving votes: Ames 11. Des Moines, North 5. Sioux City, West 5. Linn-Mar, Marion 4. Indianola 4.

Others receiving votes: Glenwood 8. West Delaware, Manchester 5. Spencer 4. Marion 1. Xavier, Cedar Rapids 1.

Others receiving votes: Pella Christian 20. Woodward-Granger 5. Mediapolis 4. Mount Ayr 3. Sioux Center 3. Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 2. Forest City 1. OA-BCIG 1.

Others receiving votes: Easton Valley 14. Notre Dame, Burlington 11. Prince of Peace Prep, Clinton 11. Stanton 8. Calamus-Wheatland 4. Belle Plaine 3. Newell-Fonda 2. East Mills 1.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have signed troubled running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt was cut by Kansas City in November after a video showed him pushing and kicking a woman last February. Hunt was placed on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list before the Chiefs released him. He was in his second season with Kansas City and was one of the team’s best players. The Browns are giving the 23-year-old a chance to restart his career. He still could be suspended by the league under its personal conduct policy.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences have a series of matchups with ranked teams that will have a big impact atop the league standings. Those games include No. 1 Tennessee’s trip to No. 5 Kentucky as the headliner on the week’s AP Top 25 schedule as well as No. 11 Michigan State’s visit to No. 20 Wisconsin. The week also includes No. 2 Duke’s trip to No. 16 Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Devon Dotson scored 25 points with six free throws in the final 40 seconds of overtime and No. 14 Kansas beat TCU 82-77. The Jayhawks won their second game in a row starting four freshmen. They never trailed in overtime after blowing a 12-point lead in the second half. TCU was trying to win consecutive games against Top 25 teams for the first time.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Browns are counting on Kareem Hunt not to run afoul. Cleveland signed the troubled running back to a 1-year contract, adding him to its roster following his release in Kansas City after a video surfaced of him pushing and kicking a woman. Hunt has been receiving counseling and vowed to improve. The NFL is still investigating the incident involving Hunt, who may face a lengthy suspension.

UNDATED (AP) — California authorities have filed criminal charges against Nebraska running back Maurice Washington. He is suspected of possessing a video of his underage high school girlfriend being sexually assaulted by two other people and sending that video to the girl less than a year ago. The university athletic department said it was aware of the situation and Washington’s attorney said his client would cooperate with authorities.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton has joined the Atlanta Falcons as a senior assistant. Sutton was fired by the Chiefs two days after a crushing 37-31 loss in the AFC championship game, when Kansas City failed to stop Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on what turned out to be the only possession of overtime. With the Falcons, Sutton will assist head coach Dan Quinn with game management, timeout usage and replay review.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Class 1A District 1 Play-in

Westwood, Sloan 78, Whiting 26

Class 1A District 15 Play-in

West Harrison, Mondamin 64, West Monona 62

Class 2A District 15 Quarterfinal

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 66, MVAO-CO-U 56

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Alta-Aurelia vs. Missouri Valley, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Atlantic vs. Harlan, ccd.

Carroll vs. Humboldt, ppd.

Clarinda vs. Shenandoah, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Lenox vs. Diagonal, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Mount Ayr vs. AC/GC, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Orient-Macksburg vs. Iowa Christian Academy, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Panorama, Panora vs. West Central Valley, Stuart, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Tri-Center, Neola vs. Red Oak, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Winterset vs. Newton, ccd.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sioux City, East 54, Spencer 31

Another round of winter weather is expected tonight and that is causing some changes with basketball games scheduled tonight around the region. We will continue to update this list as the day progresses.

Regular Season

Atlantic vs. Harlan F/JV/Varsity boys games have been cancelled with no make up date.
Atlantic middle school games vs. Creston have been cancelled.

Boys Tournament

1A District 1: Whiting @ Westwood moved up to 5:00pm.
1A District 11: Moulton-Udell @ Southeast Warren has been postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00pm.
1A District 12: Diagonal @ Lenox is now postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 5:00pm.
1A District 13: Iowa Christian Academy @ Orient-Macksburg has now been postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00pm.
1A District 14: Essex vs. Heartland Christian (at East Mills) has been postponed to Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00pm.
1A District 16: Glidden-Ralston @ St. Mary’s, Storm Lake has been postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00pm.

2A District 13: AC/CG vs. Mt. Ayr and Panorama @ West Central Valley doubleheader postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 6:30pm/8:00pm.
2A District 14: Tri-Center vs. Red Oak and Shenandoah @ Clarinda doubleheader has been postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 6:30pm/8:00pm.
2A District 15: MVAOCOU vs. Kuemper Catholic (at Alta-Aurelia) has been moved up to a 5:00pm tip-off tonight. Missouri Valley @ Alta-Aurelia has been postponed to Tuesday, February 12th at 6:00pm.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau, says “We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the hunting seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff. Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.

These meetings replace the one night listening session held in late winter over the past 15 years. In our area, the meetings will be held:

• In Creston, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room adjacent to the YMCA, Southwestern Community College
• In Sac City, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Sac County Conservation Center at Hagge Park, 2970 280th Street
• And in Council Bluffs, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Fish and Game Club, 531 Commanche Street

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.