Jessica Heims breaks Paralympic discus world record at Drake Relays

DES MOINES — Jessica Heims couldn’t have picked a more beloved site to break a 21-year-old Paralympic world record.

The former Cedar Rapids Prairie and Northern Iowa star hurled a discus 122 feet, 3 inches Friday at the Drake Relays, which tops the previous record of 119 feet, 10 inches set in 2001 by Faustyna Kotlowska of Poland.

“It kind of took (us) by surprise that it happened (Friday),” said Heims, who has competed in two Paralympics. “But for me personally, I don’t think there’s a better place to do it than the blue oval, so I’m very, very thrilled.”

Heims said her season will peak at nationals in June as she continues to work toward making her third Paralympics in 2024. She added that the support for her efforts both at Prairie and at UNI has been “amazing.”

“And they’re obviously still all behind me and supporting me through whatever comes next,” she said.

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