June 10, 2006
Sophomore Kineke Alexander came up just short in her bid for back-to-back national titles in the 400 meters Saturday. Alexander, who won her first NCAA title in this year’s indoor meet, became one of the most decorated athletes in Iowa women’s track with her silver medal performance. Fellow sophomore Shane Maier also competed in the finals of the shot put and cracked the top ten in his first NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Alexander, a native of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, erased her own school record when she crossed the line in 51.35. Along with her NCAA indoor 400-meter gold, the four-time all-American was the star of the Big Ten Indoor Championships this season when she smashed both the Iowa school record and the Big Ten Championship record with a winning 400 meter time of 52.01. She then went on to earn gold in the 200 meter dash with another school record time (23.49) and earned first-team all-Big Ten laurels. Alexander was also champion in the special section of the 400 meters at this year’s Drake Relays.
Alexander joined elite company by picking up her fourth all-American accolade; distance runner Nan Doak is just ahead of Alexander with six all-American honors. With her indoor title, Alexander became the first sprinter in Hawkeye history to win NCAA gold and joins Doak (10,000 meters, 1985) and Tracy Dahl (5,000 meters, 1992 and 1993) as the only Hawkeye national champions.
Maier finished in ninth with a toss of 61-9.75, just one place short of becoming an all-American. However, the Storm Lake, IA, native was the highest placing underclassmen in the finals. Of the eight throwers ahead of him, five were seniors giving Maier an excellent chance for an NCAA title next season. Maier earned a silver medal at the 2006 Big Ten Outdoor meet with a collegiate best throw of 62-2.25, the third best toss in school history.
In team results, the Iowa women scored 13 points to finish in 20th place. Auburn won the women’s title with 57 points and Florida State won the men’s team title with 67 points.
Women's Individual Results (Event/Heat Winner Plus Iowa Placers)
400 Meters - Finals1. Clora Williams (Texas A&M) 51.112. Kineke Alexander (Iowa) 51.35
Men's Individual Results (Event/Heat Winner Plus Iowa Placers)Shot Put - Finals1. Garrett Johnson (Florida State) 66-79. Shane Maier (Iowa) 61-9.75="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>