WHAT 2 WATCH 4: Horizontal Jumps and Women’s Sprints

Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — January | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Briana Guillory leads the track and field women’s sprinters, but associate head coach Clive Roberts has big expectations for the depth behind her. In the horizontal jumps, the Hawkeyes are looking to two newcomers — Amanda Carty and James Carter — for breakout seasons.

“When Coach [Joey] Woody got the job here, he wanted track and field to mirror his vision, and he’s always said that speed and power win championships,” Roberts said. “My responsibility is to make sure that our sprinters and jumpers are successful in doing that.”
 
TOP RETURNER
The women’s sprint group returns Guillory, a six-time All-American, three-time Big Ten Champion, and 2018 North America, Central America, and Caribbean 1,600-meter relay champion.  
 
Last year, Guillory earned All-American honors in the indoor 400 meters (51.68), 1,600-meter relay (3:33.19), and outdoor 400 meters (52.36). She also was the Big Ten Indoor 400 meters Champion (52.08).
 
“This year we’re led by Briana Guillory,” Roberts said. “She’s one of the best returning athletes in the nation. We’ve got to develop behind her, but we’ve got some good candidates.”
 
NEW FACES
Coach Roberts expects junior college transfer Amanda Carty to make an immediate impact on the women’s horizontal jump group. Carty competed at the NJCAA Championships where she won gold in long jump with a collegiate best (6.25m, 20-6 1/4).
 
“I think she’ll be there to add some depth in that area,” Roberts said. “I think she’s going to come in and definitely make some noise in the conference.”
 
The men added James Carter to the triple jump squad.
 
“I’m particularly excited about James,” Roberts said. “He needs to dial in just a little bit more. He’s definitely shown in practice that when he focuses, he can come in and make some noise early. James is the start of having an accomplished horizontal group.”
 
The Hawkeyes also have high hopes for freshmen Daneisha Woodside and Jada Laye, and sophomores Antonise Christian and Kylie Welch. “These young ladies have shown they have the talent to really make a mark in this conference, only time will tell,” Roberts said.
 
“Two meets are really important to us, the Big Ten Championships and the National Championships. Everything else is working to be the best at that time. I always say ‘I don’t mind getting beat early, to win later.’ Our goal is to go to Big Ten Championships and win, but that’s the goal of every single team in the Big Ten.”
 

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