Dec. 5, 2015
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team opened the 2015-16 season on a high note at the annual Black & Gold Intrasquad on Friday and Saturday. The Hawkeyes split competitors to form the Black and Gold team. The Black team tallied 105 points to finish ahead of the Gold squad (85 points).
“I thought today went great,” UI director of track and field Joey Woody said. “This is an opportunity to shake off the rust and to see where the fitness levels of our athletes stand after fall training. A lot of individuals stepped up across all events and posted some really impressive marks from the start.”
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One of those individuals was senior James Harrington, who managed back-to-back wins on the night. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native blazed down the 60-meter stretch in a lifetime-best 6.74, a mark that would tie for fourth all-time at Iowa, before setting a meet record of 34.23 in the 300 meters.
“I was not expecting to run like I did,” Harrington said. “I haven’t had very good starts in practice, but today just happened to be the day. I’m happy with the results, but I still need to work on my starts.”
Also setting a meet record in the event for the women was freshman Briana Guillory, who cruised to the finish in 38.65 despite her pre-race jitters.
“I was so nervous,” Guillory, a native of Antioch, California, said. “I was running scared. Running in an outside lane, I didn’t have someone to chase; I was the chase, so I just had to get out and keep my speed. I think this was a really great start for me.”
Freshman Drake Gauthier showcased his speed down the home stretch of the men’s 1,000 meters. The Flint, Michigan, native held off sophomore Carter Lilly (2:29.33) to finish first in 2:29.07.
Finishing two one-hundredths of a second shy of her personal best, sophomore Jahisha Thomas (8.62) broke the meet record in the 60-meter hurdles, while junior Aaron Mallett (7.86) did the same for the men.
“It feels really good,” Thomas said. “It definitely put me in a better place mentally, especially knowing that I had a poor start and was still able to run a time that is a fraction off my best.”
In the field events, freshman Amy Smith (10-06; 3.20m) recorded a mark that would tie for sixth all-time at Iowa in the women’s pole vault.
Junior Dakotah Goodell threw 157-04 (47.97m) in the women’s discus to take first in Friday’s competition, while Reno Tuufuli (172-03; 52.51m) led the Hawkeyes in the men’s event.
“I thought this weekend went well,” Goodell said. “There were consistent throws and they are comparable to last year’s meet that we had in January. I’m already a month ahead so that’s really good. I’m excited to compete in this event in the outdoor season and throw far.”
Freshman Peter Andreano leaped to a new height in the men’s high jump, clearing 6-09.75 (2.08m).
The meet closed with the 1,600-meter relays. The quartet of junior Alexis Hernandez, senior Lake Kwaza, and juniors Jordyn Sindt and Elexis Guster took the title for the women (3:54.90), while the group of senior Mitch Wolff, Lilly, junior Jared Ganschow, and freshman Mar’yea Harris took first in the men’s race (3:18.25).
The Hawkeyes officially return to action Jan. 9 at the Border Battle in Champaign, Illinois.
Additional Event Winners:
Men: sophomore Noah Larrison (600 meters/1:21.73), senior Michael Hart (mile/4:17.32), freshman Kallin Khan (3,000 meters/8:50.60), senior Kevin Spejcher (high jump/6-09.75; 2.08m), freshman Andy Jatis (pole vault/15-05; 4.70m), junior O’Shea Wilson (long jump/21-10; 6.65m), and junior Avery Meyers (shot put/53-05.5; 16.29m).
Women: sophomore Lydia Harod (60 meters/7.77), junior Mahnee Watts (1,000 meters/2:55.72), graduate student Khanishah Williams (high jump/5-06; 1.68m), freshman Nia Britt (shot put/40-00; 12.19), and sophomore Leah Colbert (weight throw/48-04.75; 14.75m).
