Nukuri Shines in Puerto Rico

Feb. 27, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa cross country and track and field standout Diane Nukuri competed in the World’s Best 10K in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Feb. 26. Out of 9,287 competitors, Nukuri finished 40th overall and finished 11th among the women with at time of 33:39.

Nukuri continues to train in Iowa City with head cross country coach Layne Anderson. She became eligible to compete in the 2012 London Olympics, where she’ll represent her home country Burundi, following a fourth-place finish in the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon.

“Diane put together a gutsy and determined performance in Puerto Rico,” said Anderson. “She broke a toe competing in New York City and came back very strong following 5-6 weeks of training. She continues to be a great representative of Iowa track and field.”

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.