Off and Running in 2010

Jan. 5, 2010

• Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
• Iowa and the Big Ten Network
• Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
• 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)

Complete Release in PDF Format

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s track and field squad will hit the road for its first true competition of the season Saturday against the University of Illinois. The dual meet will take place at the U of I Armory Track & Floor, with field events slated to begin at 12 p.m. CT and running events to begin at 1 p.m.

2009 INTRASQUAD RECAP
The University of Iowa track squads kicked off their indoor season Dec. 6 with the 2009 Intrasquad Meet at the UI Recreation Building. Old and new faces competed side-by-side to preview the upcoming 2009-10 indoor track season.

In the sprint events, junior Zeke Sayon was the leader in the men’s 60-meter dash, clocking in at 6.90. Sayon finished neck-and-neck with sophomore D’Juan Richardson (6.90). Similar to the men’s race, the women’s 60 meters saw senior Rhonda-Kaye Trusty and freshman Raven Moore finish together at 7.66. The men’s 60 meter hurdles finals saw freshmen Jordan Mullen and Ethan Holmes squaring off, with Mullen (1st, 8.44) barely edging out Holmes (2nd, 8.63).

Senior Adam Hairston looks to continue his success in the middle-distance, winning the 1,000 meters with a mark of 2:26.05. Juniors Bethany Praska and Steven Willey won the women’s and men’s 600 meters with respective marks of 1:36.05 and 1:20.45.

There were a lot of new faces in the women’s field events. Freshman Tiffany Medenwaldt won the women’s shot put (44’11”, 13.71m) and finished second in the weight throw (47’11”, 14.62m) behind fellow freshman Majesty Tutson (48’9″, 14.87m). Senior Caleigh Bacchus returned to action after battling through injuries last season to win the women’s high jump (5’8″, 1.73m). A young men’s throwing squad return a little more experienced and are looking to compete as well as their graduated predecessors. Sophomore Ryan Lamparek won the men’s shot put (54’11”, 16.76m) and weight throw (56’11”, 17.35m), while sophomore Matt Banse was right behind him in both (52’10”, 16.11m; 56’5″, 17.20m).

MEN’S HEAD COACH Larry Wieczorek ON THE INTRASQUAD MEET
“I think it was a very good start for us. I think we really looked good. I was really excited about the high jumping, having three guys go 6’10”. The sprinters looked good, the middle distance runners looked good, we had a couple PR’s in the weight throw and the shot, so overall I’m pretty happy with what we were able to accomplish.”

WOMEN’S HEAD COACH Layne Anderson ON THE INTRASQUAD MEET
“We have a lot of youngsters, so it was good to see them compete in uniform for the first time. I think we have an outstanding group and the key for us will be to stay healthy going forward and make sure our key people are out there. We also want to bring along some of those younger athletes and put them in a position to make an impact during this indoor season.”

HAWKEYES AWARDED AT ANNUAL BANQUET
Twelve athletes from the men’s track and field squad shared 13 awards for the 2008-09 cross country and track and field seasons. Head Coach Larry Wieczorek announced the winners at the annual banquet. Paul Chaney earned the Most Valuable Competitor award. Chaney led the team with collegiate best times in the 100 (10.46) and 200-meters (21.04) and also helped anchor a winning 400-meter relay team (40.71) and a school-record setting 800-meter relay team (1:24.85) at the 2009 Drake Relays. Senior Dan Rolling took home the teammate award and was also named the Most Inspirational Competitor. The Deacon Jones Outstanding Cross Country Award went to freshman Jeff Thode. Thode led the team in five of six races this season and earned all-region honors.

UP NEXT
Both teams will compete at home in the Iowa Open on Saturday, Jan. 16 with events to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m.