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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team began the 2019 Big Ten Championships on Friday, scoring seven points on the women’s side and three points on the men’s.
Junior Nia Britt got the Hawkeyes started with a lifetime best and the second-best Iowa mark in the hammer throw (60.99 meters, 200-1), scoring the women’s first three points. Junior Laulauga Tausaga followed suit with two more points in the hammer throw with a 60.91-meter (199-10) mark.
“I am extremely proud of how the throwers did today,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Nia had a big personal record to make the finals and finish sixth in an event she just started doing last year. Then Laulauga competed hard to make the final and put some points on the board for the women.”
Sophomore Marissa Mueller made her second appearance this season in the javelin, earning the Hawkeyes’ final two points of day one. Her 47.02-meter (154-3) mark ranks third all-time on the Hawkeyes’ all-time list.
“Marissa kept that momentum going with a huge first round throw and personal record in the javelin to score for her teammates,” Woody said. “She’s been battling injuries all season. Today was a big testament to her heart and love for her teammates.”
Senior Daniel Soto scored the men’s first three points in the 10,000 meters, finishing the race in 29:44.40 and placing sixth.
“Dan Soto ran a tough race, showed huge heart in the 10K and scored some big points for the team,” Woody said. “I’m very proud of that kid. He has always competed tough.”
MULTI UPDATE
Hawkeye senior Tria Simmons is leading the heptathlon after four events with 3,417 points, and junior Jenny Kimbro is in second with 3,406 points. Simmons ran her collegiate best 100-meter hurdles in 13.71 to better her eighth ranked Iowa all-time mark and her best 200 meters (24.19). Kimbro also ran her collegiate best 200 meters in 24.27.
“It was a great start to the Big Ten Championships. The women started things off well today in the heptathlon and set themselves up well going into day two, sitting 1-2,” Woody said.
Freshman Peyton Haack is in ninth through five events of the decathlon with 3,631 points. He set new personal bests in the shot put (11.95 meters, 39-2 1/2), high jump (1.88 meters, 6-2), and 400 meters (50.31).
“I thought Peyton had a great start to the decathlon and is setting himself up for a big day two,” Woody added.
FINALS QUALIFIERS
Seven Hawkeyes qualified for finals on Sunday between the 200 meters and 400-meter hurdles, including freshman Raymonte Dow and junior Karayme Bartley, who ran personal bests in their respective preliminaries.
“The men did what they needed to do in the prelims of the 400 hurdles and 200 prelims. I thought Raymonte ran a great race and showed what he’s capable of in the 400 hurdles with his personal record,” Woody said.
“Bri had a great preliminary in the 200 and is sitting very well going into the finals on Sunday.
“I was really proud of Jenny today to punch her ticket to the 400 hurdle finals after a long day in the heptathlon. She gave herself a chance to score some big points for the team.”
Karayme Bartley – 200 meters (20.61), wind aided (+2.5)
Antonio Woodard – 200 meters (20.87)
Briana Guillory – 200 meters (23.18)
Raymonte Dow – 400 hurdles (51.35)
Chris Douglas – 400 hurdles (51.57)
Noah Larrison – 400 hurdles (52.14)
Jenny Kimbro – 400 hurdles (59.38)
PERSONAL RECORDS
Four additional Hawkeyes recorded personal bests:
Talia Buss – 200 meters (24.18)
Antonise Christian – 200 meters (24.22)
Payton Wensel – 400 hurdles (1:01.11)
Grace McCabe – 1,500 meters (4:32.68)
B1G CHAMPIONSHIPS (DAY 2)
The second day of the 2019 Big Ten Championships begins with the decathlon 110-meter hurdles at 9:30 a.m. (CT) on Saturday. A full schedule is available on hawkeyesports.com/B1GTrack.
