Adorned with a simple black top, Tommy Tyynismaa comes through four hundred meters trailing the competition. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

DES MOINES – South Tama has never seen distance runners quite like Tommy Tyynismaa and James Brant. Both graduating in 2024, things have looked different this year for the duo. Tyynismaa signed to run at Iowa State beginning training in the summer after sorting out a stress reaction after state track. Brant made his way to Pella, competing with the Dutch during cross country as one of their top seven. Though both journeys have looked different, the South Tama alums made an appearance at the Drake Relays.

Tyynismaa has been redshirting this year, saving his eligibility to help the team at a later point. Recently his duties have been pacing races for the Cyclones, helping establish rhythm for his fellow teammates. Though mainly pacing, Tommy has run a few races indoors and Drake marked his second outdoor race.

Joined by his teammate Jacoby Harmon on the line, Tyynismaa set out on Thursday night for an 800 race on the track that has given him so much success. Mixing it up in the race, the redshirt freshman crossed the line in 1:53.18. Off from his personal best, yet looking strong in his return to Drake. Taking 23rd in the Unseeded 800.

For Brant, this was his debut at the Drake Relays, always being slightly out of the bubble during his time as a Trojan. A part of the Dutch sprint medley relay, consisting of two 200s, a 400, and an 800, Brant was slated to be on the 800 leg.

Central stayed in the mix as both 200 legs completed their half laps of the blue oval. With a handoff to Jrake Van Hemert, something wasn’t quite right. Somewhere on the backstretch Van Hemert slowed to a stop and entered the infield, as an unassuming James Brant awaited the stick in the exchange zone. As the other competitors gave their anchor legs the baton, Brant realized something had happened to his teammate and exited the blue oval. An unfortunate situation created a very unique first experience competing at the Drake Relays for one James Brant.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

With both former Trojan’s experience less than ideal collegiate Drake Relay debuts, ideas of bigger and better things stay stronger than ever in Tyynismaa and Brant.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER