Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch – 2017-18 | Hawk Talk Monthly — April 2018 | Battle on the Bayou Results
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Sophomore thrower Laulauga Tausaga set two school records, while juniors Mar’yea Harris and Briana Guillory ran to top times in the NCAA in the 400 meters as the University of Iowa track and field team completed the Battle on the Bayou on Saturday.
Within 30 minutes of the first event, Tausaga reset her own school record in the discus with a mark of 59.86 meters (196-4.75). Tausaga is now fifth in the country in the event.
Four hours later, Tausaga began the shot put where she shattered the previous record held by Lisa Van Steenwyk since 1992. Tausaga’s 16.31 meter (53-6.25) throw soared past the previous record by over three feet as Tausaga went on to win the event.
HEAR FROM COACH WOODY
“Getting Briana (Guillory) back out there in the 400 meters and putting up a great time for where she is at right now in the season is great,” UI director of track and field Joey Woody said. “She is ranked really high nationally. She blew the field away and that is a great sign. Brittany Brown had a good meet today, running a good 200 and 100, helping our 4×100 relay. We are trending in the right direction. With Lagi, she is really starting to put things together with two school records going into the last few weeks before we go to the Big Ten Championships.”
“We have some things we have to keep building on, but Reno (Tuufuli) had another great day in the discus. Andy Jatis had a great day today and went close to his PR in the pole vault. On the track, Chris Douglas had a big PR in the 400 meter hurdles and showed that he can be competitive at the national level in the 400 hurdles and 110-hurdles, and Mar’yea (Harris) ran away from the field in the final 100 meters in the 400 meters. I think he has a lot more in the tank.”
IOWA SWEEPS 400 METERS
On the track, juniors Mar’yea Harris and Briana Guillory put Iowa at the top in the 400 meters. Guillory notched the sixth-fastest time in the country at 52.55, a personal best, and improved to fifth in school history. Harris ran 45.71 to win the men’s 400 meters and move himself into third in the country.
“Its good to know that I can open up with a 45.71,” Harris said. “It’s a big confidence booster knowing I opened with one of my fastest times. This puts me in a really good position to get a good lane at regionals.”
HAWKEYE FLYING OBJECTS
Junior Reno Tuufuli won the men’s discus throw with a mark of 58.80 meters (192-11) and finished runner-up in the shot put with a mark of 18.25 meters (59-10.50).
Sophomore Erika Hammond recorded a personal best in the shot put with a best throw of 14.66 meters (48-1.25).
THOMAS WINS LONG JUMP
Senior Jahisha Thomas took the long jump title with a personal best jump of 6.44 meters (21-1.50). She remains second in school history, but currently has the second-best long jump in the country.
“I am happy,” Thomas said. “This is a great start. To open up with a personal best is exciting. It’s exciting to know what’s to come and what can be better because there is still room to improve. Nothing is perfect, so this is a good foundation to start on.”
DOUGLAS GETS BIG WIN IN 400 METER HURDLES
Junior Chris Douglas got a big win in the 400 meter hurdles. Douglas set a new personal best with a time of 50.90. Douglas ranks 10th in the country in the event.
FIGHT FOR IOWA
- The Iowa women placed third place with a total score of 140 points.
- The men finished third place with a score of 140 points.
- The Hawkeyes set 13 personal bests on Saturday.
- Iowa set two school records.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host the annual Musco Twilight meet under the lights on April 14.
