Lawrence Clinches No.1 Spot at Wieczorek

24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | Hawk Talk Monthly | Photo Gallery | meet program day 2 | day 1 results | meet program day 1


IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team set 19 personal bests at the fourth annual Larry Wieczorek Invitational on Friday. The teams competing included Arizona, Baylor, Illinois, Iowa State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Pro Athletes were also invited to participate in the premier events alongside student-athletes.
 
Sophomore Wayne Lawrence stole the show with a school record breaking time of 1:16.55 in the 600 meters. It was Lawrence’s first career attempt at the 600 meters. He jumped up to Iowa’s No. 1 time by surpassing former teammate Mar’yea Harris (1:16.60). Lawrence’s performance ranks him first overall in the Big Ten conference by two seconds.

“I’ve never actually ran a 600,” said Lawrence. “My race plan was to just take it out and see if anyone could catch me and it just worked out. This race was a great accomplishment.”
 
For the women, senior Laulauga Tausaga debuted her senior season in the women’s premier shot put. Tausaga threw over fifty feet on all four attempts. She is the current school record holder in the shot put (17.79). Junior Dallyssa Huggins placed second overall in the high jump with a new personal best (1.78). That mark lands her fourth on Iowa’s all-time list.
 
Sophomore Tyler Lienau started the meet off throwing a new personal best (20.07) in the weight throw and jumped up to fifth all-time for Iowa.
 
QUOTING COACH WOODY
“Overall it was just a great day for our team. Even with the weather, we had a great crowd and a lot of great fans in here. We wanted to set up this meet so the athletes have the ability to showcase their talents. The women’s high jump went well. It was Dallyssa’s first time really jumping in the Iowa uniform and was jumping really high this weekend.”

“The men’s 600 was probably the highlight of the day with what Wayne did. It’s the first time he’s ever run the 600 in competition so that was really impressive. That’s going to set him up for great success in the other events he does. That’s just another tool in his tool belt to put out there and helps him have a lot of confidence going into his 400.”

“I wanted to highlight the shot put, especially at this meet, because of Lagi and what she’s done for our program. We wanted to give her the opportunity to be recognized for her talents. This was great opener for her, throwing over 54 ft multiple times. It’s going to set her up for great success later on this year.”
 
HAWKEYES TAKE GOLD
Wayne Lawrence: 600 meters (1:16.55)
 
CAREER BESTS
The women tallied 13 personal bests:
Anaya Alexander: 600 meters (1:32.75)
Mary Arch: 3,000 meters (10:29.54)
Taylor Arco: 1,000 meters (2:51.52)
Mika Cox: 600-meter dash (1:43.85)
Dallyssa Huggins: high jump (1.78 meters)
Jamie Kofron: shot put (13.84 meters, 45-05)
Grace McCabe: 600-meter dash (1:37.21)
Kat Moody: shot put (13.91 meters, 45-07.75)
Davicia Patterson: 600 meters (1:31.80)
Wren Renquist: 3,000 meters (10:27.48)
Ianna Roach: weight throw (15.71 meters, 51-6.5)
Gabby Skopec: 3,000 meters (10:10.08)
Tionna Tobias: long jump (5.83 meters, 19-01.50)
 
The men added six personal bests:
Jamal Britt: long jump (7.53 meters, 24-08.50)
Jordan Johnson: shot put (15.29 meters, 50-02.00), weight throw (16.74 meters, 54-11.25)
Wayne Lawrence: 600 meters (1:16.55)
Tyler Lienau: weight throw (20.07 meters, 65-10.25)
Austin West: long jump (7.01 meters)
 
UP NEXT
The Larry Wieczorek Invitational continues tomorrow, Jan. 18 starting with the women’s pole vault at the Rec Building at 12 p.m. (CT). The running events begin at 1:30 p.m. (CT) beginning with the women’s 400 meters. For live results go to www.hawkeyesports.com/tracklive.

DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY