Jackson Heidesch, a Duke-bound senior at Dowling Catholic High and the reigning New Balance Nationals Indoor mile champion along with being the fastest prep competitor in Iowa history at 4:02.25, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss the elite boys competition April 28 at the 113th Drake Relays in Des Moines. Heidesch, also the New Balance Nationals Indoor 2-mile runner-up as well as the fifth-place finisher at Nike Cross Nationals, will renew acquaintances with Simeon Birnbaum of Rapid City Stevens High in South Dakota, in addition to Noah Breker from Robbinsdale Armstrong in Minnesota, along with Daniel Watcke of Hinsdale Central in Illinois and Clay Shively from Wichita Trinity High in Kansas in the mile field, plus Ford Washburn from Iowa City High. Dowling Catholic is also scheduled to compete April 29 against Iowa City in the boys 4x800-meter relay. Heidesch explains the evolution of the elite mile race being added to the schedule at "America's Athletic Classic" and how important it was to him and Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, that the boys invitational 1,600-meter race remain part of the meet April 29 in order for the Iowa prep athletes to have their opportunity to race as well. He reflects on his experiences March 10-12 at the TRACK at New Balance in Boston for the national indoor meet, and what training has been like since then in preparation for the Drake Relays. Heidesch examines the challenges of producing a sub-4 mile, but shares how significant it would be to join the 17 prep athletes who have already achieved the feat, including Birnbaum. He also analyzes the connection that Boldon has to the race, as one of five Iowa high school graduates to have achieved a sub-4 performance during their track careers. Heidesch also looks forward to additional racing opportunities at the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis, along with the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, and credits coaches Tim Ives and Jarred Herring for being able to plan the schedule in order to balance individual goals with significant team opportunities, including trying to win the 4x800 for the first time in program history, after Heidesch ran the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 along with the relay last year at Drake Relays.

WATCH THE 113TH DRAKE RELAYS PRESENTED BY XTREAM LIVE APRIL 27-29 ON USATF.TV