Feb. 8, 2011
- Track and Field Video Highlights
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
Complete Release in PDF Format
ISU CLASSIC
The University of Iowa track and field team travels to Ames, IA, to compete at the ISU Classic Friday and Saturday at the Lied Recreation Complex. The Hawkeyes will challenge in-state rivals Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Drake, as well as Big 12 members Kansas State and Missouri. Friday’s field events begin at noon. The women’s distance medley relay kicks off Friday’s running events at 3 p.m. Action resumes Saturday with field events at 10 a.m. and running events at 9 a.m. Results will be posted on hawkeyesports.com at the conclusion of each day’s events.
FLOTRACK HUSKY INVITE
Junior Erik Sowinski and sophomore Jeff Thode will travel to Seattle, WA, to compete in the Flotrack Husky Invite Saturday. Thode will make his season debut in the 3,000 meters at 10:12 a.m. and Sowinski will compete in the 800 meters at 3:20 p.m. Live results from the Husky Invite can be found on hawkeyesports.com.
WATCH FOR FALLING RECORDS
The Hawkeyes have broken six school records and posted an additional 15 marks that rank inside the program’s all-time top 10 performances. This season’s school record holders include:
| Event | Name | Mark |
| 60 meters | Justin Austin | 6.71 |
| 200 meters | Justin Austin | 20.83 |
| Triple Jump | Troy Doris | 54′ (16.46) |
| 600 meters | Steven Willey | 1:17.94 |
| 800 meters | Erik Sowinski | 1:48.75 |
| 1,600 meters relay | Tiffany Hendricks | 3:39.15 |
| Nicole Erickson | ||
| Bethany Praska | ||
| Ashley Liverpool |
AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS
Hawkeye newcomers Justin Austin and Troy Doris have both automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships in College Station, TX, March 11-12. Austin ran a school record 20.83 at the Razorback Invitational to qualify in the 200 meters. Doris recorded a school record 54′ (16.46m) triple jump at the Razorback Invite to earn his automatic qualification. Austin’s 200 meter time ranks sixth in nation. Doris ranks fourth nationally.
PRASKA CRACKS THE TOP 25
Senior Bethany Praska ran a 2:08.63 in the 800 meters at the Razorback Invitational Jan. 29. The time ranks No. 22 in the nation and is less than one-tenth off her personal best (2:08.54).
AUSTIN RACING TO THE TOP
After narrowly missing the school’s 60 meter record in the season opener Jan. 8, sophomore Justin Austin has broken the record in each of his last two meets. The Milwaukee, WI, native broke the 12-year old 60m record (6.73) with a 6.72 finish at Minnesota’s Jack Johnson Classic (Jan. 21). One week later he topped his own record by one one-hundredth of a second, crossing the finish at the Razorback Invitational in 6.71. Austin’s time ranks No. 27 among all NCAA Division I athletes.
THE BLACK AND GOLD MILE
Four Hawkeyes rank among the nation’s top 50 performers in the mile. Juniors Betsy Flood and McKenzie Melander ran converted times of 4:45.73 and 4:46.99, respectively, at the Jack Johnson Classic. Those performances rank No. 29 and No. 40 respectively, among NCAA Division I performers. Senior Lauren Hardesty ran a 4:47.02 at the Razorback Invitational, a performance that ranks No. 41 nationally.
SIMPLY THE BANSE
Junior Matt Banse recorded a toss of 63-9 3/4 (19.45m) in the weight throw at the Illinois Open. Banse’s performance was a career best, ranks fifth on Iowa’s all-time top performers list and 35th among NCAA Division I athletes.
COMING UP
The Hawkeyes return to competition Feb. 18 at the UI Rec Building when they host the Iowa Open. Field events will start at 5 p.m. Running events will begin at 6:05.