DES MOINES - Linn-Mar star Stephanie Jenks expects to lose a race at the 106th Drake Relays this weekend, but don't be alarmed.

It won't be one of her special distance races.

Jenks reigned supreme in the 3000 meter run for the third straight year Thursday and she'll be heavily favored to capture the 1500 for the third straight year Saturday.

It's the 400 hurdles that will probably trip her up, but that's understandable. Jenks is a novice at the event and Sarah Plock of Iowa City High is a two-time champ.

In fact, Plock teased Jenks in an e-mail about their "confrontation" in Des Moines.

"She said, 'So, are you going to beat Sarah Plock?,'" Jenks related Thursday, laughing. "I thought, What is this, an April Fool's joke?"

It was just Plock having a little fun, knowing Jenks began toying with the 400 hurdles a few weeks ago as a diversion from her distance races.

Plock won the 400 hurdles at Drake in 2013 and 2014 and has submitted a 1:00.65 clocking this spring. Jenks got the eighth and final spot in the event at Drake with a 1:06.67, more than six full seconds behind the Iowa City hurdler.

"I don't think I'm going to be anything close to that," Jenks said of Plock's 1:00.65. "But it's going to be great running against that competition. It's going to be fun."

Jenks had no competition in the 3000 meter run Thursday. She cruised to victory in 9:33.81, more than 30 seconds faster than anyone else.

Jenks likes to set records in big meets, but she did not come close Thursday. She set the Drake Relays mark last year in 9:26.87 and owns the Iowa all-time best of 9:24.67.

She was not terribly disappointed in her time after running most of the race by herself.

"I am, but I'm not, because I know I'm ready in other aspects," she remarked. "I had a really good 1600 last weekend (at the Kansas Relays) and I had a pretty good time in the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday (a prelude to the Drake Relays)."

Jenks won the prep 1600 at the Kansas Relays in 4:40.78, the fastest time by a high school girl in the country this year. She placed sixth in the Grand Blue Mile in 4:45.37 in an elite field that included professional runners.

"I'm there, I'm fine," she said about her racing. "I'm in really good shape. I'm still happy with my time. Not bad."

Jenks is seeded No. 1 for the open 800 Friday afternoon, but there are other strong half-milers in the field and the 800 is not her specialty. She likes longer events and will be heavily favored to claim the 1500 Saturday afternoon.

The 400 hurdles will be held just 40 minutes after the 1500, but Jenks is ready to give it a shot. "I'm looking forward to it," she said.

Jenks became only the third high school girl in Drake Relays history with three victories the 3000. Sarah Gray of Cedar Falls turned the hat trick in 1995-96-97. Katie Flood of Dowling Catholic won it four straight times from 2007 through 2010, so Jenks will be aiming to match Flood next year.

There were only a limited number of high school events Thursday at Drake before the schedule heats up Friday and Saturday.

Ariana Rolle of Linn-Mar placed fifth in the long jump at 17 feet, 6 1/4 inches. Willie Rhoads of Kennedy finished sixth in the high jump at 6 feet, 7 inches and Shaun Beyer of Kennedy was seventh in the high jump at 6 feet, 5 inches.

Ryan Murphy of Linn-Mar was 11th in the 3200 (9:35.46) and his older brother, Daniel Murphy, finished 16th in the same race in 9:47.88.

Dalles Jacobus of Kennedy placed 11th in the shot put (51-6 3/4), Brooke Lorenz of Linn-Mar was 11th in the girls long jump (16-6 1/2) and Blair Brooks of Marion placed 18th in the boys high jump (6 feet, 3 inches).