Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — February | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | Husker Final Results | Meyo Final Results
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa track and field team set 11 personal bests and won two individual titles on the final day at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invite in Lincoln, Nebraska. Senior Jenny Kimbro was named Female Athlete of the Meet.
Senior Will Daniels finished strong in the heptathlon, securing a first-place finish. He broke Iowa’s school record with 5,689 points and is currently ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference and sixth in the nation.
Teammate freshman Austin West finished third with a total of 5,426 points coming in second all-time for Iowa.
“I knew I had run a PR and the school record was just a bonus,” Daniels said. “Overall, it was a super fun competition. I think we have one of the best decathalon/heptatlon training groups around and competing with those guys is a ton of fun. Going into the meet, we got a few extra days of recovery, which was really good for me. As for the Big Ten Championships, I’m hoping to go in feeling healthy and get a little bit stronger. I need to fix some technical things on some events that didn’t go as well, but we’re trying to make a big splash as a multi group.”
Senior Jaylan McConico proved he’s unstoppable as he earned his fourth win of the season in the 60-meter hurdles in 7.67, just .01 from his personal best. He remains No. 1 in the Big Ten and third in the nation. Junior Jamal Britt joined McConico on the podium at third with a new personal best in 7.81.
In the 200 meters, Antonise Christian set a new personal-best in 23.89)
QUOTING COACH WOODY FROM HUSKER INVITE
“It was great to see Antonise (Christian) run a huge PR and came back and had a great split on the 4×4. It was great to see four guys in the 60-meter hurdles final. I was really happy with Jaylan. There was some twitching with the blocks, and I think that affected his start otherwise I think he would have broken his PR this weekend. He still came back and was able to beat everyone. With Josh (Braverman) and Grant (Conway), I told them that the biggest thing we have to do is compete the exact same way we do in the prelims for the finals.
“I definitely feel like we’ve made some big improvements as a program, especially in the men’s multi. It was a big performance for Will (Daniels). I think Peyton (Haack) was on his way to doing some big things and unfortunately, we didn’t get it done today, but he’s got the tools to be a national qualifier. For Austin’s (West) first time doing a multi event in the Iowa uniform and soring over 5400 in his first time out is really impressive. He’s going to be a guy to count on.”
The Hawkeyes also sent a group this weekend to compete at the Meyo Invite in South Bend, Indiana, where the set 13 personal bests and won three titles.
Senior Laulauga Tausaga started Day 2 at Meyo with a new personal best and a first-place finish in the shot put (17.96m). She currently ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and second in the nation.
Sophomore Wayne Lawrence was the big winner of the weekend, earning an individual title in the 400 meters (46.09) and a 4×400-meter relay title (3:06.72). His 400-meters time ranks first in the Big Ten Conference and fourth in the nation.
QUOTING COACH WOODY ON MEYO INVITE
“It sounds like Wayne (Lawrence) had great race, just missed breaking 46 seconds. He set himself up really well for the Big Ten and sent a message. He came back and had a fantastic split on the 4×4 and that group ran a 3:06. As for the 800s, I think they were all a little bit fatigued from last night running fantastic 600s. They competed really good head to head against the other competition. It’s always good when you get in competition and it’s not just about times but about competing and beating people head to head.
“I know Nathan (Mylenek) was a little off on his mile time on where he was expecting to be, but the winner was only 4:02 so it wasn’t quite as fast of a race as they were hoping. It was really exciting for Dan (Soto) and Dan Murphy to run 4:07, which are huge PRs. Lagi (Tausaga) had a tremendous throw and obviously she is picking up where she left off last year”
HAWKEYES TAKE GOLD AT HUSKER INVITE
Will Daniels: heptathlon (5689 points)
Jaylan McConico: 60-meter hurdles (7.67)
HAWKEYES TAKE GOLD AT MEYO INVITE
Laulauga Tausaga: shot put (17.96m)
Wayne Lawrence: 400 meters (46.09)
DeJuan Frye, Raymund Clarke, Antonio Woodard, Wayne Lawrence: 4×400-meter relay (3:06.72)
CAREER BESTS FROM HUSKER INVITE
7 individuals tallied 11 personal bests:
Jamal Britt: 60-meter hurdles (7.81)
Antonise Christian: 200 meters (23.89)
Will Daniels: pole vault (4.31m), 1000 meters (2:48.54), heptathlon (5689 points)
Daniel Gaynes: pole vault (4.31m), heptathlon (4943 points)
Peyton Haack: 60-meter hurdles (7.99)
Zack Pluff: high jump (2.00m)
Austin West: 1000 meters (2:37.52), heptathlon (5426)
CAREER BESTS FROM MEYO INVITE
13 individuals tallied personal bests:
Alex Birkett: 800 meters (1:49.70)
Ashley Bryja: 3,000 meters (10:27.85)
Spencer Gudgel: 800 meters (1:53.47)
Nolan Kembel: 400 meters (48.59)
Wayne Lawrence: 400 meters (46.09)
Kat Moody: shot put (13.94m, 45-9.00)
Daniel Murphy: mile (4:07.76)
Jeff Roberts: 3,000 meters (8:21.62)
Nolan Roethler: 400 meters (49.05)
Daniel Soto: mile (4:07.51)
Addie Swanson: 400 meters (56.43)
Laulauga Tausaga: shot put (17.96m,58-11.25)
Payton Wensel: 400 meters (55.78)
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes hit the road again, splitting up between the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa, and the Texas Tech Shootout in Lubbock, Texas on Feb. 14-15.
