Jan. 17, 2009
Complete Results | Photo Gallery
IOWA CITY, IA — The University of Iowa Hawkeye track and field teams crowned 14 event champions, including senior John Hickey who posted a NCAA provisional qualifying performance of 59-8 1/2 in the shot put, at the Iowa Open Saturday afternoon in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes competed against student-athletes from Central Methodist, Chicago State, Truman State, Western Illinois, Wisconsin-Whitewater at the meet.
Hawkeye freshman D’Juan Richardson was a double event winner for the second straight week. Richardson won the men’s 60-meter hurdles (8.20) and 200 meters (21.84) with collegiate-best performances. The hurdles time ranks fifth in school history. The Indianapolis, IN, native also placed second in the 60 meters with a collegiate-best 6.87 that ranks eighth in school history.
Iowa junior Adam Hairston also won two events, placing first in the 600 meters with a collegiate-best 1:19.55 and running the third leg on the winning 1,600-meter relay (3:18.73). Hairston’s 600-meter time ranks eighth in school history. “I thought we picked right up where we left off against Illinois last weekend,” said Head Men’s Coach Larry Wieczorek. “We had good performances all around – including standout performances from Hickey, Hairston and Richardson.”
Hawkeye senior Racheal Marchand led the women’s team in their 2009 season opener with a winning and collegiate-best performance in the 3,000 meters. Her time of 9:53.40 ranks ninth in school history.
“It was a good start to the 2009 season,” said Head Women’s Coach Layne Anderson. “Our young talent performed well, and it was obvious they did their work over the holiday break. We showed a good mix of young talent and proven veterans, which should make for a solid team this season.”
Also winning events for Iowa were senior Daniel Peoples (1,600-meter relay – 3:18.73), juniors Rhonda-Kaye Trusty (300 meters – 40.15), Alex Zona (pole vault – 15-0) and Ray Varner (1,600-meter relay – 3:18.73), sophomores Bethany Praska (600 meters – 1:33.69), Chris Barton (400 meters – 49.77) and Steven Willey (1,600-meter relay – 3:18.73), and freshman Betsy Flood (800 meters – 2:19.03).
Up next for Iowa are competitions in Minnesota and Arkansas next weekend. Part of the team will compete at the co-ed Jack Johnson Classic in Minneapolis, MN. Events are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. on Jan. 23 and 9 a.m. on Jan. 24, and will be held at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse. The rest of the team will head to the Arkansas Invite in Fayetteville, AR. Events are scheduled to start at Noon Jan. 23 and 11 a.m. Jan. 24, and will be held at the University of Arkansas Randal Tyson Track Center.