May 27, 2009
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IOWA CITY, IA — Hawkeye junior Paul Chaney, Jr. and freshman Betsy Flood were recently named Iowa’s Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Sportsmanship Award honorees. The award is presented to student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior, who are in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Chaney, Jr., who is a wide receiver on the Iowa football team, has had an strong outdoor season for the Hawkeyes since rejoining the team after spring football practice ended on April 18. He has qualified for the upcoming NCAA Midwest Regional in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400-meter relay after scoring team points for the Hawkeyes in all three events at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, May 15-17. Chaney, Jr.’s outdoor season debut was at the 100th annual Drake Relays where he anchored the winning men’s 400-meter relay (40.71) and the Iowa’s men’s 800-meter relay to a school-record (1:24.85). The St. Louis, MO, native also ran the second leg on Iowa’s sprint medley relay that placed second in 3:20.05, which ranks third in school history. The following week he posted regional qualifying and collegiate-best times in the 100 (10.51) and 200 meters (21.14) at the Illinois Invite.
“Paul has exhibited everything we’ve hoped for in a student-athlete,” said Head Men’s Coach Larry Wieczorek. “He is balancing academics, football and track and field at an NCAA Division I level. He scored team points for us in three events at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, and has qualified for the NCAA Midwest Regional in three events.”
Flood leads the Hawkeyes in the 800 (2:11.69) and 1,500 meters (4:24.91), cracking Iowa’s all-time top 10 in both events. She has qualified for the regional meet in the 1,500 meters. A Des Moines, IA, native, Flood ran lead legs on the team-leading 3,200-meter (8:53.81) and 6,400-meter (19:36.43) relays at the Drake Relays. Those relay times rank fourth and second, respectively, in school history.
“Betsy has been a tremendous addition to our program,” said Head Women’s Coach Layne Anderson. “She arrives each and every day with a smile on her face, and always has a kind word for her teammates.”
Flood, Chaney, Jr., and the rest of the Hawkeye qualifiers will compete Friday and Saturday at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Norman, OK. All events will be held at the University of Oklahoma’s John Jacobs Track and Field Complex and fans can follow the results live at www.soonersports.com. The NCAA Midwest Regional is one of four qualifying meets for the NCAA Championships to be held June 10-13 in Fayetteville, AR. The top five finishers in each individual event and the top three relays from each of the four regionals will automatically advance to the national meet.