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By JACK ROSSI
hawkeyesports.com
EUGENE, Ore. – A day after the men finished their season, the University of Iowa track and field women closed the book on the 2017 track and field season.
Junior Brittany Brown and freshman Laulauga Tausaga entered Hayward Field on Saturday as Iowa’s final competitors and they did not disappoint. Brown finished seventh in the 200 meters and Tausaga finished seventh in the discus as Iowa finished in 48th place with 4 points.
Brown became the first Hawkeye in program history to be named a first team All-American in the 200 meters. She finished seventh with a time of 23.02.
“It’s amazing and it’s a great feeling to be the first to be an All-American in the 200,” Brown said.
But the race didn’t come without drama. On the final stretch, an Oregon runner fell in Brown’s lane forcing Brown to move around her, costing a higher finish and team points.
“I am a stronger finisher and so I was picking up speed,” Brown said. “Everybody saw what happened after that. She went down and I had to go around her. That was shocking and I thought I was going to get DQ’d. I hope she is ok and I wish it would have went better but it is what it is.”
The 2017 Big Ten Champion made her third appearance at the NCAA Championships after finishing 11th in the 200 meters and 16th in the 4×100. In 2015, she placed 17th in the 200 meters.
Tausaga concluded her freshman campaign, establishing herself as one of the best discus throwers in the country with a seventh place finish. Tausaga recorded a final mark of 55.71m (182-9).
“In the beginning of the outdoor season I didn’t expect to be where I am now,” Tausaga said “I thought I would have done better, but I have seen so much progress, I have PR’d as much as I have wanted to and I met all my goals.”
The last time Iowa had a freshman win All-American honors in an individual event was Brittany Brown in 2014.
“I am really proud of this season,” Tausaga said. “I can definitely compete with these girls. It was an off day for me, but I know that if I stay in my lane and not worry about everybody else then I can get a higher spot on that podium.”
Oregon won the team title with 64 points
Next up for Iowa is the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California, June 22-25. Select Hawkeyes will represent Iowa.
