Women's 1,600-Meter Relay Runs to a 2nd-Place Finish

Feb. 11, 2012

Video interview with Coach Anderson | Video interview with M. Banse

Iowa State Classic Photo Gallery (Saturday)

Men’s Results | Women’s Results

AMES, Iowa – The University of Iowa track and field team finalized competition at the Iowa State Classic on Saturday. The Hawkeyes rallied behind a host of second place finishes by seniors Matt Banse and Troy Doris, sophomore Carisa Leacock, and the women’s 1,600-meter relay team.

Banse got the Hawkeyes off to a good start when he threw a personal best toss of 67-8 (20.62m) to finish second in the weight throw. That mark ranks second all-time at Iowa.

Doris placed second in the 60 meters. The senior crossed the line in 6.81. Sophomore Tevin-Cee Mincy followed close behind capturing a fourth place finish with a time of 6.87.

Leacock represented the Hawkeyes in the long jump. The sophomore reached a mark of 19-0 ½ (5.80m) to place second.

The women’s 1,600-meter relay team had their best performance of the year. The team made up of junior Hannah Simonson, senior Nicole Erickson, freshmen Victoria Sack, and sophomore Ashley Liverpool earned a second place finish with a time of 3:42.42. That time ranks sixth all-time at Iowa.

Nathan Prom had a personal best performance in the 800 meters. The junior crossed the line in 1:50.90 to finish sixth. That time ranks fourth all-time at Iowa.

The Hawkeye women had a solid day in the 600 yards. Senior Nicole Erickson ran to a third place finish with a personal best time of 1:22.61. That time ranks fourth all-time at Iowa. Junior Hannah Simonson and freshmen Maisie Vachuska and Lauren Moore also competed in the 600 yards. Simonson finished fourth crossing the line in 1:23.18. Her time ranks fifth all-time at Iowa. Vachuska also earned her way into the all-time performers list with her tenth place finish. Her time of 1:25.38 ranks eighth all-time at Iowa. Moore rounded out the Hawkeye line-up earning a 14th place finish, with a time of 1:35.68.

The Hawkeye men dominated the 600 yards. Juniors Keaton Rickels (1:10.59) and Ryan Weir (1:11.06), and freshman Brennan Davey (1:11.13) took third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Sophomore Kyle Slaymaker (7th, 1:12.42), freshman Kyle Wheeler (9th, 1:12.79), and senior Nick Kuczwara (15th, 1:16.68) also competed in the event.

“I think it was our best team performance of the year,” said women’s head coach Layne Anderson. “We took a step in the right direction in preparing for the Big Ten Championships.”

Junior Justin Austin, who made the trip to Fayetteville, Ark. for the Tyson Invitational, was disqualified in the 200 meters on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes will return to action hosting Iowa Invitational on Feb. 17.