DES MOINES, Iowa – In a dramatic display of power, precision, and endurance, World Indoor silver medalist Roger Steen emerged victorious Wednesday night in the innovative World Shot Put Series at the Drake Fieldhouse, kicking off the 115th edition of the historic Drake Relays 2025 in Des Moines, IA.
The knockout-style competition, designed to breathe new life into the traditional field event, saw Steen clearing the 73-foot mark to claim the championship belt – surpassing his best mark of 22.08 meters (72-5.25) in official competition.
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“I’m just having a great, fun time,” said Steen, who at 32 was the oldest competitor in the field. “Everybody’s getting better, pushing each other.”
The unique format required athletes to hit progressively challenging distance targets, starting at 40 feet and eventually advancing in smaller increments through 65, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, and finally 74 feet. Competitors received two attempts at each distance, with a single “challenge flag” available as a lifeline for an extra attempt.
World Indoor bronze medalist Tripp Piperi finished second after both throwers battled through the 73-foot barrier. Both men failed at 74 feet, with Steen securing the win based on fewer missed attempts throughout the competition.
“By the end of the first round, every single person competing was like, ‘Oh my god, this is awesome,'” Piperi said after the event. “This was genuinely one of the most amazing experiences we’ve had.”
The competition featured fifteen participants, including nine professionals and six collegiate throwers. Only Steen and Piperi managed to surpass the 72-foot threshold, with Olympic bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica claiming third place with 72 feet.
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Perhaps most surprisingly, three-time Olympic champion and world record holder Ryan Crouser – the mastermind behind this reimagined format – finished fifth after being eliminated at 71 feet.
The event combined raw strength with strategic decision-making, creating a format that engaged both competitors and spectators throughout the evening. With each progressive round, the tension built as athletes were eliminated one by one.
American Payton Otterdahl rounded out the top four, also being eliminated at the 72-foot mark alongside Campbell.
The innovative competition format at Drake Relays 2025– with its WWE-style championship belt and elimination rounds – represents a bold step forward in track and field presentation, potentially offering a blueprint for how traditional field events can evolve to capture wider audience interest.
