March 13, 2006
The University of Iowa women’s track team has its first national champion in over a decade when Kineke Alexander took home the gold in the 400 meters last weekend. Meghan Armstrong and Peaches Roach also competed in the national meet hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR.
Alexander became just the fourth NCAA champion in Iowa history with her win in the 400 meter dash. The sophomore entered the finals with the fourth-fastest time (52.63) and won the race in a time 52.16. That time is Alexander’s second-fastest time in the 400 meters; her time of 52.01 at the 2006 Big Ten Championships set a new school record and smashed the previous Big Ten mark. With her win, Alexander becomes the first Iowa sprinter to win a national title. Iowa’s previous NCAA champs were Tracy Dahl in the 5,000 meters (1992 and 1993) and Nan Doak 10,000 meters (1985).
Junior Peaches Roach and sophomore Meghan Armstrong also earned all-American honors. Roach competed in the high jump for the third consecutive year at nationals. She finished in a tie for sixth place when she cleared 5-10.75. In her first national meet appearance, Armstrong placed ninth in the mile with a time of 4:46.65.
Iowa finished 20th in the team standings with 12.5 points; Texas won the title with 51 points. This year’s Iowa team became the first in school history to be ranked nationally. The Hawkeyes were ranked 25th heading into the national meet and finished the indoor season ranked 12th in the National Power Rankings.
This week, the Hawkeyes travel to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to compete in the Coastal Carolina meet March 17-18.
WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL EVENT RESULTS (Winner Plus Iowa Placers)
High Jump1. Sheena Gordon (North Carolina) 6-1.256. Peaches Roach (Iowa) 5-10.75
400 Meters 1. Kineke Alexander (Iowa) 52.16
Mile Run 1. Johanna Nillson (Northern Arizona) 4:37.789. Meghan Armstrong (Iowa) 4:46.65="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="http:>