Marinelli, Tausaga Named January Student-Athletes of the Month

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Student-Athletes Academic Services (SAAS) has recognized sophomore Alex Marinelli (wrestling) junior Laulauga Tausaga (women’s track and field) as January’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 sports, but in the classroom as well.

Marinelli went 4-0 in the month of January, adding on to the 7-0 he earned in December. All of Marinelli’s wins in January were bonus-point victories. He scored 22 of a possible 24 teams points in four dual victories. He is currently ranked No.2 in the country at a 165 pounds.

Marinelli and the Hawkeyes take on Indiana, Friday at 7 p.m. (CT) for senior night. The Hawkeyes then travel to Wisconsin where they will take on the Badgers on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. (CT), you can follow along on BTN+ or flowrestling.

Tausaga was named United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Athlete of the Week after throwing a school record 23.26 meters (76-03 3/4) in the weight throw at the Frank Sevigne Invitational, a mark that ranks second in the NCAA this season. She was named Most Valuable Performer of the Frank Sevigne Invitational after winning the weight throw and shot put competitions. Tausaga also improved her shot put school record (16.70 meters, 54-9 1/2) at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational.
 
Tausaga and the Hawkeye track and field team travel to the Big Ten Championships on Feb. 22-23, hosted by Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.