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March 28, 2012
THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa track and field team opens the 2012 outdoor season with the Arkansas Invitational Friday and Saturday. The meet will be held at the John McDonnell Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Friday’s events are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s action will start at 9:30 a.m.
IN THE RANKINGS
The men’s track team is ranked 18th in the USTFCCCA national preseason rankings.
AMONG THE TOP TEN
Senior Troy Doris is ranked second in the triple jump (53-8 1/2; 16.37m) in the national preseason rankings, while junior Justin Austin is ranked fourth in the 200 meters (20.46). Junior Matt Byers is also nationally ranked. Byers currently sits at seventh in the javelin (245-8; 74.83m).
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS
The Hawkeye track and field team returns six 2011 All-Americans. Senior Troy Doris earned first team All-America honors after his fifth place finish in the triple jump at the 2011 NCAA Championships. Senior Erik Sowinski earned two second team All-America honors following his performances in the 800 meters and 1,600-meter relay. Senior Patrick Richards was also a part of the 1,600-meter relay team. Other second team All-Americans include senior Betsy Flood (5,000 meters), senior Jeffery Herron (high jump), and junior Ethan Holmes (400-meter hurdles).
DEFENDING THE BIG TEN TITLE
The men’s track and field team heads into the 2012 outdoor season with a title they haven’t had since 1967, defending Big Ten Champions. The Hawkeyes racked up 125.5 points at the Big Ten Championships to take the title.
INDIVIDUAL BIG TEN CHAMPIONS
The University of Iowa track and field team crowned three Big Ten Individual Champions at the 2011 Big Ten Championships. Justin Austin took the title in the 200 meters at the 2011 Big Ten Outdoor Championships with his time of 20.46. Troy Doris was crowned the Big Ten triple jump champion with his leap of 53-8 ½ (16.37m), while Matt Byers captured a first place finish in the javelin with a throw of 235-4 (71.73m).
4X4 DEFENDS TITLE
The women’s 1,600-meter relay team of Bethany Praska, Tiffany Hendricks, Nicole Erickson, and Ashley Liverpool took the 2011 Big Ten Title with a time of 3:36.15. Erickson and Liverpool retun in 2012 and will defend the title with a mix of new faces.
MEET THE RECORD HOLDERS
Six Hawkeyes on the 2012 roster account for seven individual school records. They include: Justin Austin: 100m (10.21) and 200m (20.31) Danielle Berndt: 3,000m Steeplechase (10:26.54) Matt Byers: Javelin (245-8; 74.89m) Troy Doris: Triple Jump (54-0; 16.46m) Jeff Thode: 1,500m (3:43.02) Majesty Tutson: Discus (172-4; 52.52m)
NEXT ON THE BLOCK
The Hawkeyes will split competitors April 6-7 between the San Francisco Invitational in San Francisco, Calif., the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., and the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, La.