IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Student-Athlete Academic Services has recognized senior Aaron Mallett (Men’s Track) and freshman Laulauga Tausaga (Women’s Track) as May’s male and female student-athletes of the month.
The honor, voted by their peers, recognizes student-athletes who have excelled not only in their sport, but in the classroom as well.
Mallett, a sports a recreation management major, won his third-straight Big Ten Championships in the 110-meter hurdles on May 14. He ran a school-record setting 13.24 seconds to become the sixth Hawkeye in program history to win three Big Ten titles, joining Charles Brookins, Frank Cuhel, Pat McGhee, Edward Gordon, and Matt Byers who all have three Big Ten titles under their belt. Mallett also won the NCAA West Regional in his event with a time of 13.36 seconds and entered the NCAA Championships as the top seed.
Tausaga, a communications major, became the first female discus thrower in program history to win a Big Ten Championship, throwing a facility record 55 meters. At the NCAA West Regional, Tausaga recorded consecutive record breaking throws with a 57.43 meter toss and a 59.37 meter throw. She became the second Hawkeye in school history to advance to the NCAA finals in the discus throw and she owns six of the top 12 furthest throws in the world for 2017 in the U20 division.
Mallett and Tausaga will continue their seasons at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California, June 22-25.
