IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa track and field team recorded 19 career bests on Day 2 of the Hawkeye B1G Invitational on Saturday.
Max Murphy continued his incredible freshman campaign finishing fourth with a career best 7:59.30 in the 3,000 meters. Murphy’s time ranks third all-time in program history and is currently second in the nation amongst freshmen. Nick Trattner followed suit with a 10-second career-best performance, winning the first section in 8:12.68. Freshmen Aidan King and Jack Pendergast also recorded career bests with times of 8:26.73 and 8:43.07.
In the women’s 3000 meters, freshman Kelli Tosic finished 12th with a career-best 9:47.84. In the first section, junior Gabby Skopec recorded a career best, dipping under 10 minutes for the first time in her career with a time of 9:59.12. Junior Emma Gordon ran a career best with a time of 10:16.60. Gordon bested her previous mark by more than 10 seconds.
“The 3,000 meters was amazing, both men and women had really great PR’s. That’s why I gave Randy (Hasenbank) the floor at the end of our team meeting. I wanted to let him talk about the distance group because sometimes they don’t get enough recognition for the hard work and progression that they’ve had over this last year.” Woody said.
In the women’s 200 meters, four Hawkeyes recorded career best performances. Senior Lasarah Hargrove led the way finishing fourth in 24.47. Sophomore Tionna Tobias and freshman Paige Magee were next, recording times of 24.82 and 24.86. Senior Kylie Welch also ran a new career best in 25.95.
In the men’s 200 meters, junior Jamal Britt finished second in his heat and third overall with a time of 21.58.
In the women’s triple jump, freshman Kayla Hutchins placed fifth with a career best 11.99m.
‘THROWS FEST’ LIVES UP TO THE HYPE
The throws crew was responsible for seven of the 19 career bests for the Hawkeyes today. Junior Amanda Howe finished third in the weight throw with a career best 19.25 meters. Senior Tyler Lienau finished second in the weight throw with a mark of 20.68 meters. Senior Erika Hammond and junior Elijah Barnes both took fifth in the shot put with marks of 15.02 meters and 17.17 meters.
Sophomore Ianna Roach recorded career bests in the shot put and the weight throw with marks of 14.04 and 17.22 meters, respectively. Freshman Alivia Bauer also threw a career best in the shot put and weight throw with marks of 13.41 and 15.01 meters.
Sophomore Jordan Hawkins finished sixth in the weight throw with a career best of 19.22 meters, a mark that moved from ninth to eighth on Iowa’s all-time top 10 list.
“That was a fun atmosphere. It ended up being pretty cold in that building, but I think our athletes really showed out and competed at a high level,” said Woody. “We had a lot of PR’s. Amanda Howe had a big PR. Some girls came back after some not so great performances last week and had some good performances this weekend. On the guys side we continued to solidify our spots on the Big Ten leaderboard.”
QUOTING COACH WOODY
“I told the team that I was proud of their resiliency this whole season to stay dialed in and focused. It’s been a tough season competing against the same team’s week in and week out and they just keep bringing the energy and competitiveness. I am excited we have these next two weeks to continue to stay dialed in and focused on the Big Ten meet. We are focused on progressing but mainly just staying healthy and taking care of business these next couple of weeks.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Feb. 25-27 at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio.
CAREER BESTS:
W-Shot Put: Ianna Roach (14.04m)
W-Shot Put: Alivia Bauer (13.41m)
M-Weight Throw: Jordan Hawkins (19.22m)
W-Triple Jump: Kayla Hutchins (11.99m)
W-200 Meters: Kylie Welch (25.95)
W-200 Meters: Lasarah Hargrove (24.47)
W-200 Meters: Tionna Tobias (24.82)
W-200 Meters: Paige Magee (24.86)
W-3000 Meters: Kelli Tosic (9:47.84)
W-3000 Meters: Gabby Skopec (9:59.12)
W-3000 Meters: Emma Gordon (10:16.60)
M-3000 Meters: Max Murphy (7:59.30)
M-3000 Meters: Nick Trattner (8:12.68)
M-3000 Meters: Aidan King (8:26.73)
M-3000 Meters: Jack Pendergast (8:43.07)
M-Shot Put: Jordan Johnson (16.87m)
W-Weight Throw: Amanda Howe (19.25m)
W-Weight Throw: Ianna Roach (17.22m)
W-Weight Throw: Alivia Bauer (15.01m)