June 8, 2006
Three sophomore Hawkeyes ran and threw under the California sun in today’s segment of the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Sophomore Eric MacTaggart earned all-America honors in the 10,000 meters, while sophomore Shane Maier advanced to Saturday’s finals of the men’s shot put. Sophomore Meghan Armstrong wrapped up her 2006 campaign, competing in the 1,500 meters.
MacTaggart placed 11th in the 10,000 meters with a time of 29:22.78. He earns all-America honors because he was the seventh American to cross the finish line. The top eight finishers and the top eight Americans earn all-America status in track. MacTaggart is Iowa’s first all-American of the 2006 championships, and the first Hawkeye to earn the honor in that event since Stetson Steele in 2000. Of the 10 runners that placed ahead of MacTaggart, eight were seniors. The Glen Ellyn, IL, native was just one of nine underclassmen in the event.
By advancing to the finals, Maier has the chance to become Iowa’s first all-American in the shot put since Jeremy Allen in 2001. The Storm Lake, IA, native qualified for the next round with a toss of 60-6 1/2. Maier placed second this year at the Big Ten Outdoor meet with a collegiate-best toss of 62-2 1/4.
Armstrong competed in the 1,500 meters, finishing in a time of 4:22.19; she missed advancing to the finals by just four places. Armstrong was an indoor all-American in the mile run this year and set a new Iowa school record in the 1,500 meters this spring at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with a time of 4:17.41.
Tomorrow, three-time all-American and NCAA Indoor champion Kineke Alexander will compete in the semi-final round of the 400 meters. Big Ten champion and two-time all-American Peaches Roach will also compete in the finals of the high jump. The men’s shot put finals are scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Friday’s events start at 10.00 a.m. (PST). All events will be held at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex on the Cal State Sacramento campus. Live results can be found at www.ncaasports.com.
Men's Individual Results (Event/Flight Winner Plus Iowa Placers)10,000 Meters - Finals1. Josphat Boit (Arkansas) 28.37.6411. Eric MacTaggart (Iowa) 29.22.78
Shot Put - Prelims1. Garrett Johnson (Florida State) 66-3 1/411. Shane Maier (Iowa) 60-6 1/2
Women's Individual Results (Heat Winner Plus Iowa Placers)1,500 Meters - Prelims1. Marina Muncan (Villanova) 4:16.1716. Meghan Armstrong (Iowa) 4:22.19="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="http:>