Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — January | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Sophomore Konstadina Spanoudakis is a native of Crete, Greece, and specializes in throws on the University of Iowa track and field team.
During her freshman season, Spanoudakis recorded collegiate bests at the Wieczorek Invitational in the shot put (44-6 3/4, 13.58) and at the Tysen Invitational in the weight throw (49-9 1/4, 15.17m). She also threw a personal best at the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the discus competition (172-3, 52.51m).
Spanoudakis was named to the Dean’s List as a freshman.
What are you most excited for this year?
“We have a really strong team. We have a lot of freshmen coming in that will definitely help the program. On the throwers side, we have Lagi [Tausaga] coming back as a two-time All American last year, and we have Reno who was an All-American. We definitely have some strong competitors coming back this year.”
What is your favorite memory as a Hawkeye?
“My favorite memory has to be Big Ten Outdoor Championships last year. On the women’s side, we finished third with 96 points, and it’s the highest the women have placed in a Big Ten Championship, so it was really cool to be a part of that and know that I contributed.”
What is your best advice for the freshmen?
“Listen to the upperclassmen. They know how things work, and they have been in the same spot you are today. The best thing you could do is listen to them and the advice they have to offer.”
What is the best advice you’ve ever received from a coach?
“Trust the process. I get inside my head a lot and question things, but Coach Werskey tells me to relax and just trust the process, trust his knowledge, and the results will come.”
Who has been the most influential to you at Iowa?
“My coach, without a doubt. He has incredible knowledge in regards to throwing, but also life in general. I always listen to stories our coach tells us, and I always end up learning something new.”
If not track & field, what sport would you play?
“I actually played basketball for 10 years before track, so if I wasn’t in track right now, I would definitely be playing basketball.”
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
“Robert Harting, his technique is probably the best I have ever seen, and his accomplishments and life story are truly admirable.”
When you’re not practicing, what is your favorite thing to do?
“If I have time, I usually watch clips of throwing or read about different practice models. I want to be a student of the sport, not just an athlete.”
What is something you’ve always wanted to try but have been too scared to?
“I always wanted to try cliff diving. We have some amazing places back home that are great spots for cliff diving, but my fear of heights will forever get in the way of that.”
If you could choose a super power, what would you choose?
“Most likely teleporting from place to place. I need three to four different flights to get to Greece, and it’s exhausting. It would be so practical if I could teleport.”
Where is your favorite spot on campus?
“Jacobson is my favorite place without a doubt. I practice there, our team’s locker rooms are here, we have a fueling station, and for me, it’s the best place to study.”
What is your favorite meal?
“Definitely, a traditional Greek gyro!”
