It’s very challenging for high school athletes to qualify for the Drake Relays. It is even more challenging for two siblings in the same event to both qualify for the Drake Relays. However, that is the case Carson and Morgan Divis of Hinton who will both compete in the shot put this weekend.
These two have put in a lot of work that not many see to punch their ticket to Des Moines. Morgan Divis says the work both of them put in during the winter has paid off.
The throwing events in track and field have been fortunate enough to breed many strong athletes in this area. Carson Divis says watching those that have come before him motivated him to compete hard once he got his chance in high school.
Closer to home, Morgan says their older brother Garrett and former teammate Lauren Kounkel provided a lot of inspiration.
Carson achieved the Blue Standard for qualification to Drake early in the season with a strong mark in the indoor season. He went on to up that during the outdoor season while also setting school records in the process. He says his early season marks surprised him based on what he was doing during the winter.
Morgan achieved her Blue Standard mark much closer to the Drake Relays deadline and has since upped it as well. She says she knew the throw was a good one the moment it left her hand.
Thankfully, Carson has experience at both the Drake Relays and the state meet, so he is very familiar with the Blue Oval. Carson finished 16th last year at Drake, and he says the nerves this year will be a bit toned down due to his experience last year.
For Morgan, this is her first time qualifying for the Drake Relays, but she has competed at the state meet giving her some familiarity with the Blue Oval. Getting the chance to accomplish this year with her brother is a great opportunity that she is not taking lightly.
Some doubt early on in the season about how they would compete has opened up to optimism for what could be possible this weekend. Carson says this opportunity will be the culmination of a lot of work.
For Morgan, getting comfortable prior to her throws will be important. She says once that happens, it will be just like any other competition.
For Carson, he is going to need to reach marks that are very close to his personal record. He says if he can do that, he will have a great chance to medal.
Morgan will compete at 5:00 PM on Thursday in Des Moines while Carson competes on Friday morning at 9:00.
