Defending champion Dwight Phillips had not done well early in the season, only finishing tenth in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
In addition, Drake Stadium hosted the 1970, 2008, 2011, and 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 2010 and 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
At the 1996 Olympic Trials Gary finished 2nd in the 3,000 meter Steeplechase to qualify for the 1996 Olympics.
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Battaglia would eventually qualify for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships -and USA Track and Field Championships- in both the heptathlon and javelin throw.
This result earned Vessey a place on the US 2009 World Championship team—she finished 4th at the 2009 U.S. Championships, and needed to break 2:00 to earn an "A" standard.
McNeill made a name for himself in 1985 when he defeated Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis in the semifinals of the 100-meter dash at the USA outdoor track and field championships.
He demonstrated his sprinting ability in the 100-meter dash at the 2007 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he recorded 10.07 seconds in the final – ahead of Walter Dix and second only to Tyson Gay.