March 5, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa All-American Erik Sowinski was crowned national champion at the 2013 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships last weekend in Albuquerque, N.M.
Sowinski crossed the finish line of the men’s 800 meters in 1:47.09 to win the national crown.
“Erik is a special individual on and off the track so he’s very deserving of all of his success,” said Iowa assistant track and field coach Joey Woody. “The big thing for him is how he’s gotten his name out there. His indoor goals were to break the 600-meter American record and back it up with an 800-meter national championship. He accomplished both and now he’s set himself up for bigger and better things during the outdoor season.”
Former Iowa All-Americans Bethany Praska and Jeffery Herron also placed at the Championships. Praska ran 2:03.57 to finish third in the women’s 800 meters, and Herron cleared the bar at 7-1 (2.16m) to place eighth in the high jump.
“It’s a lifetime bests for Bethany,” said Iowa assistant track and field coach Clive Roberts. “Last year she was fourth and this year she was third, so she’s moving along very good and ready for a big showing outdoors.”
“Jeffery has been progressing well,” added Roberts. “Last year at this time he was jumping 6-11, so to be able to jump 7-1 at the USA Championships shows that he’s coming along. I think he’s going to be a whole lot better outdoors.”
The USA Indoor Track & Field Championships served at the final indoor meet in the USATF Championship Series. All three competitors now transition into the outdoor season and toward the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 20-23.