May 12, 2013
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Iowa track and field team crowned three individuals and one relay on day three of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. The No. 18 men’s team finished fifth overall with 85 points, while the women tallied 31 points to finish 11th. No. 13 Nebraska won the men’s team title (131.5 points), while Penn State claimed the women’s title (133 points).
The men’s 400-meter relay team grabbed the first title (10 points) of the day for the Hawkeyes. The team of seniors Jordan Mullen, Justin Austin, Ethan Holmes and Josh Larney crossed the line in 40.21 to finish just ahead of Nebraska (40.23) and Illinois (40.29). The title is the first 400-meter relay gold for the Hawkeyes since 2001.
The Hawkeye men picked up 18 points in the men’s 100-meter finals. Austin and Larney finished first (10 points) and second (8 points), respectively. Austin crossed the line in 10.27, while Larney clocked a personal-best time of 10.39. Larney’s time ranks sixth all-time at Iowa. Austin is the first Hawkeye to win the 100 meters title since Tim Dwight in 1999. Lake Kwaza sprinted to a fifth-place finish (4 points) in the women’s 100 meters. Kwaza recorded a personal-best time of 11.56. That time ranks fourth all-time at Iowa.
Austin also claimed gold in the men’s 200 meters. The senior clocked a time of 20.86 to claim the title for the second time in his career (last in 2011).
“It was a real thrill to go out there and win the individual titles and the relay,” said Austin. “You always want to compete at the Big Ten meet, and I disappointed last year, so this season it was really nice to come out on top. I came in with the top rank, so it feels good to show up and meet the expectations.”
Holmes took the men’s 400-meter hurdle title. The senior crossed the line in 50.78 to claim ten team points. Holmes is the first men’s 400-meter hurdle champion since Ray Vamer in 2010. Senior Keaton Rickels also scored points in the event. Rickels clocked a time of 53.12 to finish sixth (3 points).
“It was a definitely a good day,” said Holmes. “We started off with the 4 x1, and it felt really good to finally get out here and get that win. As far as the 400 hurdles go, it was windy out here and I knew the conditions weren’t great. I knew I just had to get out as fast as I could. When I saw I was in first-place coming around that final turn I just tried to stay as calm as I could. I could see the Michigan guy coming and I just tried to stay as composed as possible.”
Mullen ran to a second-place finish (8 points) in the men’s 110-meter hurdles. The senior clocked a personal-best time of 13.76. That time ranks fifth all-time at Iowa. Holmes also competed in the event. The senior finished seventh (2 points) with a time of 14.44.
“The 110 hurdles didn’t go as well as I wanted it to, but I couldn’t be happier for Jordan,” said Holmes. “He is healthy, running great, and we are ready for regionals.”
Graduate student Mareike Schrulle clocked a personal-best time in the women’s 5,000 meters to secure a second-place finish (8 points). Schrulle’s time of 16:12.66 ranks seventh all-time at Iowa.
The Hawkeyes took home two silver medals in the field events. Majesty Tutson earned a second-place finish (8 points) in the women’s discus. The senior recorded a toss of 170-8 (52.03m). Matt Byers was the runner-up in the men’s javelin. The senior recorded a mark of 237-8 (72.45m) to secure eight points for the men’s team. Sam Joens also scored points in the javelin. The sophomore recorded a personal-best mark of 206-9 (63.03m) to finish fifth (4 points). That mark ranks fifth all-time at Iowa.
Klyvens Delaunay leapt to a sixth-place finish (3 points) in the men’s triple jump. The freshman recorded a mark of 49-8 ¼ (15.14m).
Junior Carisa Leacock and sophomore Khanishah Williams scored team points in their respective field events. Leacock captured a seventh-place finish (2 points) in the women’s triple jump. The junior recorded a leap of 40-0 (12.19m). Williams earned an eighth-place finish (1 point) in the women’s high jump. The sophomore cleared a height of 5-6 ½ (1.69m).
“It was a solid final day for Hawkeye track and field,” said head coach Layne Anderson. “Performers across a variety of events led a competitive effort by our student-athletes. On to the NCAA first round in two weeks.”
“Now we have to stay healthy, find some nice weather, and get ready to set some personal records,” said Austin.
The Hawkeyes head to Austin, Texas, to compete in the NCAA Regionals on May 23-25.