Notebook: Big Ten Championships

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa track and field team travels to Geneva, Ohio, to compete at the 2021 Big Ten Indoor Championships on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the SPIRE Institute. The men’s and the women’s championships are separated into morning and evening sessions. Competition begins Thursday for the men at 11 a.m. (CT) while the women start at 3 p.m. The men begin Friday at 10:35 a.m. and the women start at 3:40 p.m. The final day of competition begins for the men at 10 a.m. and the women at 3 p.m. The meet is streamed on BTN Plus all three days. Visit hawkeyesports.com/tracklive for direct links to video and live results.

BIG TEN REVIEW
The Hawkeye men placed second at the 2020 Big Ten Indoor Championships, their highest finish since winning the event in 1963. The women placed eighth in 2020. Iowa won four individual gold medals, including Wayne Lawrence, Jr. in the 200 and 400 meters, Jaylan McConico in the 60-meter hurdles and Laulauga Tausaga in the weight throw. The Hawkeye men also won the 1,600-meter relay for the second straight year. Lawrence and Tausaga were named athletes of the Big Ten Indoor Championships.

WHAT 2: WATCH 4 // JAMAL BRITT
Junior Jamal Britt has had a breakout indoor season culminating in three Big Ten Athlete of the Week Honors. Britt recently won his third AOTW honor last week as he recorded a career best of 7.60 winning the 60-meter hurdles at the Hawkeye B1G Invitational. This time put Britt in a tie for the school record with Jaylan McConico. Britt’s time is the No. 2 time in the nation and the best time in the Big Ten by over two tenths of a second. Britt is also second in the Big Ten in the long jump with a mark of 7.60 meters (24’11.25”). Britt will be competing in the 60-meter hurdles, long jump and the 4×400 meter relay this weekend.

WHAT 2: WATCH 4 // MALLORY KING
Senior Mallory King has been a vital part of the women’s team success this year and looks to continue that this weekend. King recorded a new season best of 2:05.34, winning the 800 meters at the Spire B1G Invitational last weekend. King’s time ranks No. 7 in the nation and first in the Big Ten. King has also been a consistent member of the 4×400 meter relay throughout the season. The Hawkeyes are coming in with the third best time in the Big Ten in the 4×400 relay. King will be competing in the 800 meters and the 4×400 meter relay this weekend.

WHAT 2: WATCH 4 // WAYNE LAWRENCE JR.
Junior Wayne Lawrence Jr. is a three-time defending conference champion in the 200, 400 and 1,600-meter relay. He was named outstanding track athlete of the 2020 conference championships and Big Ten Men’s Indoor Athlete of the Year in 2020. Lawrence is coming off a second place finish the 400 meters (46.08) at the Spire B1G Invitational. The time ranks No. 12 in the nation and second in the Big Ten. Lawrence also led the Hawkeye 4×400-meter relay team to a season best time of 3:08.25 at the Spire B1G Invitational last weekend. Lawrence will be competing in the 400 meters, 200 meters, and the 4×400 meter relay this weekend. The men have won the 1,600-meter relay each of the last two years.

WHAT 2: WATCH 4 // PAIGE MAGEE
Freshman Paige Magee broke into the spotlight this indoor season posting the third best time all-time in program history in the 60-meter hurdles. Magee has been steadily climbing up the all-time list this season which culminated in this Feb. 13 at the Hawkeye B1G Invitational. Magee won the 60 hurdles with a time of 8.29, the third best time in program history, and a mark that ranks No. 30 in the nation and first in the Big Ten. Magee will be competing in the 60-meter hurdles and the 4×400 meter relay this weekend.

WHAT 2: WATCH 4 // MAX MURPHY
Freshman Max Murphy enters the Big Ten Championships following a fourth-place performance Feb. 13 at the Hawkeye B1G Invitational with an time of 7:59.30. The time ranks third all-time in program history, No. 24 in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten. Murphy will be competing in the 5,000 meters this weekend.

WHAT 2: WATCH 4: AMANDA HOWE
Sophomore Amanda Howe has had a strong indoor campaign in the weight throw. Howe has steadily improved week by week to eventually lead her to a career best throw Feb. 13 at the “Throws Fest” of the Hawkeye B1G Invitational. Howe finished third in the weight throw with a mark of 19.25 meters (63’2”), sixth best in the Big Ten. Howe finished 12th at last year’s Big Ten meet. Howe will be competing in the weight throw this weekend.

HAWKEYES IN THE BIG TEN TOP 8
The top eight finishers in each event add points to their respective team totals. Iowa has three athletes ranked at the top of their respective events, including Jamal Britt and Paige Magee in the men’s and women’s 60-meter hurdles, and Mallory King in the women’s 800 meters.