Feb. 14, 2009
Complete Results in PDF Format
AMES, IA — The University of Iowa track and field team crowned three champions, set two school records and had four student-athletes post NCAA provisional qualifying performances at the Iowa State Classic Saturday in Ames. Seniors John Hickey, Racheal Marchand and Renee White, and sophomore Karessa Farley posted NCAA provisional qualifying marks in their respective events, while Farley and Hickey set new school records with their winning performances.
Farley won the 60-meter hurdles with a collegiate-best 8.30, breaking the record of 8.33 set in 2006 by former Hawkeye Tiffany Johnson. Hickey threw a collegiate-best 63-0 to win the shot put and break the school record of 62-10 1/2 set in 2001 by former Hawkeye Jeremy Allen. Hickey is the only Hawkeye in school history to throw 63 feet in the shot put, and only two other collegiate shot putters in the nation have thrown farther this season. Sophomore Brian Marchese was Iowa’s third event winner – finishing first in the unseeded mile in a collegiate-best 4:11.89.
Marchand placed second in the 5,000 meters with a collegiate-best 16:18.23, which ranks sixth in school history. Former Hawkeye all-American Diane Nukuri won that event in 16:11.89 while competing unattached. White, who holds the school triple jump record of 42-4, placed second in that event with a provisional mark of 41-7 3/4.
The Hawkeyes posted a total of 24 collegiate bests on the day. Iowa other top finishers included sophomore Josh Bean in the triple jump (2nd-48-3 1/4) and senior Eric MacTaggart in the 3,000 meters (3rd-8:17.25). Hawkeye senior Jesse Luciano’s 4:07.29 mile ranks sixth in school history and earned him fourth place. Sophomore Bethany Praska placed fourth in the 600 yards (1:23.12), while the men’s 1,600-meter relay of junior Ray Varner, sophomore Steven Willey and Chris Barton, and freshman Patrick Richards placed fourth with a season-best 3:10.93.
The Hawkeyes’ next competition will be Feb. 20 when they host the co-ed Iowa Invite at 4 p.m. at the University of Iowa Recreation Building. Competing teams include Iowa, Bradley, Coe, Simpson, Augustana and North Central College. Admission to the event is free.