Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — January | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa high jump and multi event group returns upperclassmen junior Jenny Kimbro and senior Tria Simmons. Both women are ranked on Iowa’s top-10 performers list six times.
“We expect the multis to continue to be a force within the Big Ten this year,” assistant coach Paige Knodle said. “Having a strong multi presence is something we prioritize, and are proud to continue. We had great fall training, and I expect great progression throughout the season.”
TOP RETURNERS
Kimbro began the 2018-19 season with a collegiate-best in the 60-meter hurdles (8.34) at the Jimmy Grant Invitational (Dec. 8, 2018), which ranks third at Iowa. She is second in the pentathlon (3,930 points), Heptathlon (5,523 points), and 100-meter hurdles (13.38). Kimbro also ranks on the indoor (5.88m, 19-3 1/2, sixth all-time) and outdoor (5.96m, 19-7, seventh) long jump lists.
Simmons ranks third at Iowa in the indoor triple jump (12.83m, 42-1 1/4), pentathlon (3,859 points), and heptathlon (5,298 points). She ranks seventh all-time in the long jump (5.84m, 19-2, 7th), high jump, (1.75m, 5-8 3/4), and outdoor triple jump (12.38m, 40-7 1/2).
“Jenny Kimbro and Tria Simmons are both very strong returners for us, and are great training partners for one another.” Knodle said. “Tria has some very big goals for her senior year, and Jenny was only a few spots out of the national meet last year. They both returned this year with a fire during fall training, and we know we are going to see big things out of the two of them. They both are fierce competitors and will continue to make their mark on the Big Ten.”
On the high jump side, the Hawkeyes expect to see big performances out of juniors Gillian Urycki and Aubrianna Lantrip as well as sophomore Jay Hunt and senior Andy Jatis. Urycki and Lantrip rank fifth (1.76m, 5-8 1/4) and seventh (1.75m, 5-8 3/4), respectively, in the high jump at Iowa. Jatis ranks third indoor (5.05m, 16-6 3/4) and fifth outdoor (5.07m, 16-7 1/2) at Iowa in the pole vault.
NEW FACES
Freshman Maria Gorham began the season with a 1.65-meter (5-5) high jump at the Jimmy Grant Invitational in December. She is a native of Alleman, Iowa, and a graduate of North Polk High School.
“Maria Gorham is looking really great,” Knodle said. “I expect her to progress outdoor and get to the conference meet.”
On the men’s side, freshman Peyton Haack is training for the decathlon. He has competed in pole vault (4.40m, 14-5 1/4) and long jump (6.49m, 21-3 1/2) to prepare for his upcoming competitions.
“Peyton Haack is one of our freshman decathletes that we are extremely excited about. He is a newcomer to the Hawkeyes, but is a veteran to the multi-events and that maturity and experience will greatly benefit him at this level.”
