May 5, 2011
- Big Ten Championships – Iowa City, Iowa
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Editors note: Any media interested in covering the 2011 Big Ten Track and Field Championships are reminded to contact Chris Brewer at christopher-brewer@hawkeyesports.com.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to compete at the Mark Messersmith Invitational Friday on the campus of Northern Iowa. Field events at the Messersmith Outdoor Track and Field complex start at 11 a.m. Running events begin at noon.
This weekend’s competition will serve as a final tune-up for the Hawkeyes before hosting the Big Ten Championships May-13-15 in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes are on the heels of a strong outing at last weekend’s Drake Relays, where they grabbed a pair of flags and a couple school records. The women’s sprint medley and 1,600-meter relays each turned in record-setting performances. Erin Jones, Tiffany Hendricks, Ashley Liverpool and Bethany Praska broke an eight year old sprint medley record with a first-place time of 3:48.63. Praska, Liverpool and Hendricks also teamed with Nicole Erickson to break a five year old mark in the 1,600-meter relay (3:35.93).
The men’s sprint medley relay team also earned a Drake Relays flag. Zeke Sayon, Justin Austin, Steven Willey and Erik Sowinski earned a first place finish with their 3:16.18 effort.
The Hawkeyes have set five school records this outdoor season. In addition to the women’s sprint medley and 1,600-meter relays, Iowa has set program marks in the women’s discus (Majesty Tutson), javelin (Matt Byers) and women’s 800 meters (Bethany Praska).
Complete results from Friday’s Messersmith Invitational will be posted on hawkeyesports.com at the completion of the meet. Information regarding the Big Ten Championships May 13-15 can also be found on hawkeyesports.com.