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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team won nine titles at the Jimmy Grant Invitational on Saturday at the UI Rec Building. Iowa won eight individual and one relay title in its 2019-20 season opener.
“It was a good opener for us to just get out here and compete,” said Iowa head coach Joey Woody. “I told our team last night that the season has started and you can go qualify for the national meet today. We were fortunate enough to have great competition this weekend.”
Senior Jaylan McConico won the 60-meter hurdles, taking first in 7.66, a new personal best. He jumped from fourth to second on Iowa’s all-time top 10 list.
“The highlight was Jaylan McConico in the 60-meter hurdles, running 7.66,” said Woody. “That will definitely get him into the national championships. He’s number one in the country as far as I know so it was definitely a great opener for him. All the hurdlers did a fantastic job.”
Junior Antonise Christian climbed three spots on Iowa’s all-time top 10 list, jumping to No. 6 with a personal best 7.48 in the 60 meters.
Junior Tyler Lienau joined the weight throw all-time top 10 list at sixth place, recording a new personal best 20.06 meters. Sophomore Amanda Howe secured a win in the weight throw with a new personal best 18:43 meters. That mark ranks sixth all-time.
“Tyler’s mark today would have been seventh in the Big Ten for the entire year so that was a great start for him,” said Woody. “Amanda Howe came out on the women’s side and pick up a big performance there. She redshirted last year so to be able to do what she did today is fantastic.”
The Hawkeye men and women swept the 600 meters. Junior Mallory King took first with a new personal best (1:31.05). Freshman Spencer Gudgel made his Hawkeye debut finishing first in the 600 meters (1:19.77).
“From start to finish, I thought the women’s 600 was fantastic and to see Mallory King come out and run a 1:31 this early in the season was fun to see,” said Woody.
Gabby Skopec was the third athlete to take first in their Hawkeye debut, along with Gudgel and Howe. She recorded a personal best (5:13) in the mile.
Iowa closed the meet with the Hawkeye women winning the 1,600 meter relay. The relay included junior Addie Swanson, senior Jenny Kimbro, senior Tia Saunders, and sophomore Jada Laye.
Twenty-two additional Hawkeyes earned 25 personal best marks in their respective events:
- Josh Braverman: 60-meter hurdles (7.97)
- Mariel Bruxvoort: 300 meters (41.25)
- Antonise Christian: 60 meters (7:48)
- Will Daniels: high jump (6.92), 60-meter hurdles (8.34)
- Emma Gordon: 3000 meters (10:30.31)
- Spencer Gudgel: 600 meters (1:19.77)
- Maggie Gutwein: mile (5:26)
- Amanda Howe: weight throw (18:43)
- Mallory King: 600 meters (1:31.05)
- Jamie Kofron: weight throw (14.95), shot put (12.45)
- Tyler Lienau: weight throw (20.06)
- Jaylan McConico: 60-meter hurdles (7.66)
- Kylie Morken: 300 meters (40.47)
- Jeff Roberts: mile (4:18.96)
- Tia Saunders: 600 meters (1:30.00)
- Gabby Skopec: mile (5:13)
- Addie Swanson: 600 meters (1:33.00)
- Tionna Tobias: 60-meter hurdles (8.60)
- Tysen VanDraska: 1000 meters (2:25.35)
- Allison Wahrman: weight throw (17.30)
- Kylie Welch: 300 meters (42.23)
- Austin West: high jump (1.95m), 60-meter hurdles (8.60)
The Hawkeyes return to action at the Hawkeye Invitational on Jan. 10-11 at home.
ICYMI: 🗣 Head Coach Joey Woody post Jimmy Grant interview #Hawkeyes #FightForIowa pic.twitter.com/0JuMCYl44O
— Iowa Track & Field/Cross Country (@IowaXC_TF) December 16, 2019
