May 17, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Iowa sophomore Kineke Alexander, who missed the final day of the Big Ten’s women’s track and field championships, is expected to be ready to run at the NCAA Regional Championships, May 26-27.
Alexander was withheld from competition during the final day of the Big Ten meet so as not to aggravate a nagging injury in the cold and wet conditions. Performing Saturday in the preliminaries, she had qualified for the finals in the 200 and 400 meter individual events, as well as running a leg on Iowa’s 400 and 1,600-meter relay teams, which both also advanced to the finals.
Alexander, the NCAA indoor and Drake Relays champion at 400 meters, had the second fastest prelim time in the 200 and the fourth fastest clocking in the 400. Iowa had the top qualifying time in the 400-meter relay as well. Alexander won both the 200 and 400 meter individual events at the Big Ten indoor meet earlier this season.
“Kineke wasn’t 100 percent for Sunday, so we held her back in anticipation of the upcoming NCAA meets,” said Coach James Grant. “Having her compete Sunday would have aided our efforts in four events and given us a chance to finish as high as fifth as a team. We anticipate she will be fully healthy to compete in the upcoming championships and hopefully successfully defend her NCAA title.”
The Hawkeye women placed eighth at the Big Ten meet in East Lansing, after placing fourth in the finals of the 400-meter relay and seventh in the 1,600-meter event.
Alexander and selected teammates will compete May 26-27 at the NCAA Regional to be held Austin, TX. The NCAA finals are June 7-10 in Sacramento, CA.