IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa senior Jaylan McConico has been named Big Ten Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday.
McConico, a Bolingbrook, Illinois native, is the fifth Hawkeye in school history to earn the honor and first since Justin Austin in 2013.
McConico finished runner up in the 110-meter hurdles to earn first-team All-American honors at the NCAA Championships, helping Iowa place 12th in the team race, it’s best finish since 1967. As part of the 400-meter relay McConico also earned second team All-America honors, placing 14th overall with a season’s best time of 39.48.
McConico helped lead the Hawkeyes to a 2021 Big Ten Outdoor Championship by winning an individual championship in the 110-meter hurdles. He set a school record and tied the Big Ten Championship meet record with a time of 13.23.
McConico is the sixth Hawkeye this season to earn conference Athlete of the Year honors, joining Luka Garza (men’s basketball), Spencer Lee (wrestling), Alex Schaake (golf), Alexa Noel (women’s tennis), and Anthe Nijziel (field hockey).
MEN’S HONORS
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Jaylan McConico, IOWA
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Ayden Owens, MICHIGAN
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Kostas Zaltos, MINNESOTA
WOMEN’S HONORS
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Anavia Battle, OHIO STATE
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Adelaide Aquilla, OHIO STATE*
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Olivia Howell, ILLINOIS
*indicates unanimous selection
