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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team set 17 personal bests on the first day of the Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday.
For the women, senior Tia Saunders took first in the 600 meters with a new personal best 1:30.92, a time that ranks No. 6 in school history and second in the Big Ten.
“Going into the race, I wanted to run to my own rhythm, be comfortable, and chase the entire race,” said Saunders. “I wasn’t expecting to win, but when I saw there was only 100 meters left, I just felt like I could go. I knew the win was right there and I just needed to want it more than everyone else.”
Senior Jenny Kimbro ran the 200 meters and earned a new personal best 24.48, a mark that ranks fourth in the Big Ten Conference. Kimbro also finished first in her 60-meter hurdles heat to automatically advance to Saturday’s semifinals tomorrow.
Sophomore Wayne Lawrence captured a new personal best 21.11 in the 200 meters. That time ranks fourth in school history. Senior Austin Lietz took first on the men’s side of the 600 meters. His time of 1:17.99 ranks second in the Big Ten Conference behind fellow teammate Wayne Lawrence.
QUOTING COACH WOODY
“This was our first travel meet and it was good to get on the road. We had some difficulties with travel, but that never played into people’s attitudes today. I thought they came in and performed very well. We had a lot of PRs. We always talk about competing like it’s a Big Ten Championship. When you try to score points, be in the top eight, or compete to win your heat, you’re giving yourself a chance to get used to winning and get to the Big Ten Championship down the road.”
“The men and women’s 600 were phenomenal. I am really proud of Tia (Saunders) and what she did in the 600. I’m really excited for her since she’s a senior. Aly (Weum) ran very competitive. It was Taylor’s (Arco) first race really getting into it so that was fun to see. Payton (Wensel) also ran a big PR today.”
“Tyler (Lienau) had another PR at the weight throw. It was a big competition for him to get in there and compete. For the men’s 60-meter hurdles, I think we dominated. We had a lot of Iowa guys in there and in the top eight. Then, Austin (Lietz) had that extra gear at the end to go out and get that win. The 200 went really well. It’s good to see some of our 400 guys get in and run a PR or close to one. Antonio (Woodard) is really starting to put some things together. James (Carter) had a tremendous meet. He’s a guy that’s going to contribute in the triple and long jump once we get into the Big Ten Championships.”
HAWKEYES TAKE GOLD
Austin Lietz: 600 meters (1:17.99)
Tia Saunders: 600 meters (1:30.92)
CAREER BESTS
The women tallied seven personal bests:
Taylor Arco: 600 meters (1:33.14)
Traci Brown: 200 meters (26.17)
Dallyssa Huggins: 60-meter hurdles (9.63)
Jenny Kimbro: 200 meters (24.48)
Tia Saunders: 600 meters (1:30.92)
Payton Wensel: 600 meters (1:32.68)
Sydney Winger: 200 meters (26.80)
The men added ten personal bests:
Jamal Britt: 200 meters (21.71)
James Carter: long jump (7.48m, 24-6.5)
DeJuan Frye: 200 meters (21.61)
Julien Gillum: 600 meters (1:19.80)
Peyton Haack: 60-meter dash (7.09)
Jordan Hawkins: weight throw (17.28m, 56-8.5)
Tanner Iske: 60-meter dash (7.12)
Wayne Lawrence: 200 meters (21.11)
Tyler Lienau: weight throw (20.30m, 66-7.25)
Chris Thompson: 200 meters (22.35)
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return for day 2 at the Rod McCravy Memorial tomorrow. The women start Saturday with high jump at 8:30 a.m. (CT), running events begin at 11 a.m. with the women’s 60-meter dash.
