34 Heading to NCAA First Round

May 21, 2010

Iowa City, IA – The final field for the West Region’s preliminary round of the NCAA Championship’s was announced Friday, sending 34 student-athletes from the University of Iowa track team to Austin, TX, for three days of competition beginning Thursday, May 27.

The men’s team is represented by a total of 28 qualifiers, made up of 20 student-athletes competing in 13 individual events and two relays. Since 2003, the men’s team has sent a total of 133 qualifiers to the NCAA Regional and this season’s total of 20 student-athletes is a new Iowa record.

“Having such a great number of competitors advance to the NCAA Championships is the icing on the cake for what has been a very good season,” said Head Men’s Track Coach Larry Wieczorek. “These athletes demonstrate the breadth of our program and they have me very optimistic about the immediate and distant future of Iowa track & field. It’s a great group that is hungry to win and we’re looking forward to having a great competition and advancing some athletes on to Eugene, OR.”

The women’s team will send 18 qualifiers, with 14 student-athletes competing in six individual events and two relays. Since 2003, Iowa’s women’s team has sent 114 qualifiers to the NCAA Qualifier and this year’s total of 14 individuals ties a UI record set in 2007.

“We’re very excited to send this number of athletes to the regional competition,” said Head Women’s Track Coach Layne Anderson. “Qualifying for the NCAA meet is a great accomplishment that reflects the level of hard work these student-athletes have committed to throughout the season. I know they’re excited to compete and represent themselves and the University of Iowa on a national level.”

The top 12 individuals or relays in each event from each preliminary site (East and West) will then move on to the NCAA Championships final site in Eugene, OR, on June 9 to form a final field of 24.

2010 NCAA Preliminary Round (West Regional)
Men’s (28 qualifiers – 20 athletes, 13 individual events, 2 relays)

Name Event Season Best – Qualifying Mark
Matt Banse Shot Put 17.3m
Hammer Throw 60.66m
Chris Barton 400 Meters 47.21
1600-M Relay 3:05.73
Mark Battista 3,000 Meter Steeplechase 9:04.60
Matt Byers Javelin 70.76m
Stephen Bee 400-M Relay 40.43
Jeffrey Herron Long Jump 7.54m
Ethan Holmes 110-M Hurdles 14.49
Chase Kadlec 5,000 Meters 14:14.45
Ryan Lamparek Shot Put 17.44m
Brandon Oest High Jump 2.10m
Patrick Richards 400 Meters 46.74
400-M Relay 40.43
1600-M Relay 3:05.73
D’Juan Richardson 400-M Hurdles 51.97
400-M Relay 40.43
Zeke Sayon 100 Meters 10.52
400-M Relay 40.43
Zach Schimp Javelin 64.32m
Erik Sowinski 800 Meters 1:48.56
1600-M Relay 3:05.73
Ben Stancombe Hammer Throw 56.68m
Jeff Thode 1,500 Meters 3:44.39
Graham Valdes High Jump 2.11
Ray Varner 400-M Hurdles 50.24
Steven Willey 400 Meters 46.12
1600-M Relay 3:05.73

Women’s (18 qualifiers – 14 athletes, 6 individual events, 2 relays)

Name Event Season Best – Qualifying Mark
Caleigh Bacchus High Jump 1.78m
Nicole Erickson 1600-M Relay 3:39.88
Karessa Farley 100-M Hurdles 13.50
400-M Relay 45.60
Betsy Flood 1,500 Meters 4:17.75
Kara-Aretha Graham 400-M Relay 45.60
Amanda Hardesty 1,500 Meters 4:25.60
Lauren Hardesty 1,500 Meters 4:22.81
Tiffany Hendricks 1600-M Relay 3:39.88
Tiffany Medenwaldt Discus 49.16m
McKenzie Melander 1,500 Meters 4:21.18
Raven Moore 100 Meters 11.78
400-M Relay 45.60
Bethany Praska 1600-M Relay 3:39.88
Rhonda-Kaye Trusty 200 Meters 23.74
400-M Relay 45.60
1600-M Relay 3:39.88
Majesty Tutson Discus 48.56m