Nukuri Turns in a Pair of Strong Performances

Aug. 8, 2011

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa cross country and track and field standout Diane Nukuri continues to impress as she trains across the country in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics. The 2008 UI graduate notched a pair of top 5 finishes over the past two weekends, including a third-place finish at the Bix 7 and a fourth-place finish at the Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race.

Considered one of the most prestigious seven-mile road races in the United States, Nukuri placed third out of 876 competitors in her division at the Bix 7 on July 30. She raced through the streets of Davenport, Iowa, in 37:59.

She then recorded a fourth place finish in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, at the Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race. More than 6,000 runners competed in what is considered one of the top road races from around the globe. Nukuri’s time of 32:37.8 was 40th overall, but fourth in her division.

Nukuri was a three-time cross country All-American while competing for the Hawkeyes from 2006-08. She won the conference title and was named Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2007. She is the school record holder in four cross country events and four track and field events. She continues to train in Iowa City and serve as volunteer assistant coach for the Iowa track and field and cross country programs.