T-R PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER - East Marshall sophomore Ashtyn Wheater watches the flight of her final throw during the shot put competition on Friday at the Drake Relays inside Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — A cool, overcast morning at Drake Stadium was typical for the Drake Relays but very new for Ashtyn Wheater.

The East Marshall sophomore qualified last Thursday at her home meet, winning by well over five feet with a heave of 40 feet, 1 1/4 inches. In qualifying, Wheater furthered her own school record set earlier in the month, which improved on her sister Kennedy’s school record from 2022.

To start off the Drake Relays, Wheater was up in the first flight of the girls shot put. A visibly nervous Wheater warmed up on the infield of Drake Stadium and prepared for her three attempts to qualify to finals. Opening with a heave of 33-6 1/4, she had work to do. Improving by well over two feet on her second throw, the Mustang climbed a few positions in the flight. Failing to improve on her third attempt, Wheater’s first trip to the Drake Relays was over.

After her flight, Wheater spoke about the weight of the moment.

“It was good but for me it was really nerve-wracking with never being here before,” she said, “but it was a great experience even if I didn’t throw my best.”

Coming from a family of throwers, Ashtyn leans on their experiences to continue improving.

“My dad and my sibling are throwers, I pull a lot of motivation from them.”

Finishing 18th with her second round throw, the competition was won by Charlee Morton of Hampton-Dumont-CAL, launching the shot put 46-9 1/4.