24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | Hawk Talk Monthly
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Laulauga Tausaga was named Midwest Regional Female Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Friday. She becomes the first female in school history to earn track and field regional honors back-to-back.
“Lagi being named USTFCCCA Female Regional Athlete of the year is fantastic! It’s her second time earning the award and it continues to help advance our program,” said Coach Eric Werskey. “She has had her sights set on being a better student-athlete this year and it shows. She is much more mature with her approach to training and competition because she wants for the University of Iowa to shine at the highest level. Her goals have been set very high this year and she’s been chipping away at them one by one, so for her to receive this award, it shows that her mindset and goals are coming together for her.”
Tausaga earns this honor after winning gold and silver medals in the weight throw and shot put, respectively, at the Big Ten Indoor Championships Feb. 28-29 in Geneva, Ohio. Ranking No. 2 in the shot put and No. 9 in the weight throw, Tausaga punched her ticket to nationals.
The Spring Valley, California, native was named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Meet March 4 by the conference.
Tausaga and eight of her Hawkeye teammates travel to Albuquerque, N.M., on March. 13-14 to compete in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Tickets can be purchased on www.ncaa.com/tickets.
