Austin Named Big Ten Athlete of the Week

Jan. 11, 2011

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa sophomore Justin Austin was recognized Monday as the Big Ten Conference’s Men’s Track Athlete of the Week. Austin made his debut as a Hawkeye at the Illinois Open last weekend, running in the 60 meters and 200 meters. He finished first in both events.

The transfer student-athlete from Kentucky ran a time of 21.49 on the flat-track, which converts into a banked-track time of 21:09, the top time among Division I athletes. The Hawkeye newcomer posted a 6.76 in the 60 meters, a mark that earns him second place on Iowa’s all-time top performers list. Austin’s performance in the 200 meters ties the eighth best time in Iowa history.

Austin is Iowa’s first track athlete to win the award since Jim Costello earned the honor in 2001.

Austin and the rest of the Hawkeyes compete this weekend at the Iowa Open. The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the UI Recreation Building.