Jan. 16, 2007
IOWA CITY –
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa women’s track team will compete in the Jack Johnson Classic in Minneapolis, MN, Friday-Saturday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse. The women’s pentathlon/heptathlon will kick-off the meet Friday at 3 p.m. Saturday’s competition includes the field events and the final two heptathlon events starting at 9 a.m. with running events slated to start at 10:30 a.m.
COMPETING TEAMS — Manitoba, Minnesota, Minnesota St.-Mankato, North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
LAST WEEK — The Hawkeyes secured nine first place finishes in the Hawkeye Invitational. Junior Kineke Alexander also brought home a first shattering a 20 year-old 600 meter school record (1:30.77 by Senta Hawkins) and the University of Iowa Recreation Building record (1:29.57 by Katie Erdman of Michigan), with a time of 1:27.84. Senior Becca Franklin took home gold in the weight throw, bettering her school record with a toss of 53’6 1/4″.
Other individual champions include senior Tiffany Johnson in the 60 meter hurdles (8.55) and the triple jump (40’3 1/4″), sophomore Renee White in the 60 meter dash (7.88) and the long jump (18′ 1/2″), newcomer Rhonda- Kaye Trusty in the 200 meter dash (25.56), junior Meghan Armstrong in the 800 meter run (2:12.79) and junior college transfer Diane Nukuri in the mile (4:53). The winning 4X400 meter relay included senior Aditya Jones, Trusty, Alexander and senior Monica Mims at the anchor.
NATIONALLY RANKED — The Hawkeyes are projected to finish 13th nationlly as a team by trackwire.com. Four individuals are also ranked for the Hawkeyes. Junior Kineke Alexander is ranked first in the 400 meters, senior Peaches Roach is ranked fifth in the high jump, and juniors Diane Nukuri and Meghan Armstrong are ranked sixth and ninth, respectively, in the mile.
HAWKEYE COACHES — James Grant is in his 11th year at the helm of the women’s track and field program. The past four seasons have been outstanding for Grant and the Hawkeyes. Kineke Alexander became Grant’s first NCAA champion (400 meters) and only the fourth in school history. In his time at Iowa, the Hawkeyes have crowned 21 Big Ten champions, 60 regional qualifiers, 21 all-region selections, 28 NCAA qualifiers and 10 all-Americans, one NCAA champion (Alexander) and set 22 school records.
Assistant coach Layne Anderson is in his third season at Iowa. He works with the distance runners and is also the head women’s cross country coach.
Victor Houston is in his second season with the Hawkeyes. His main area of responsibility are field events and multi-event athletes.
NEXT COMPETITION — Hawkeyes will travel to Champaign, IL to compete in the Carle/Health Alliance Invitational on Jan. 27.