FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Iowa track and field teams wrapped up the first day of competition at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa.
Hawkeye freshman Jenoah McKiver broke his second school record of the season, winning the 400-meter final at the Tyson Invitational in 45.39.
“This was probably one of the best meets we’ve ever had, especially this time of the year. We had a lot of personal-bests in the 400 meters,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Everyone was competing to win their race. When you’re competing to win your heat, you give yourself a chance to compete at a very high level. You just get used to winning, and I think that’s what we’re all about. This sport is about beating people.”
Freshman Chadrick Richards and junior Wayne Lawrence, Jr. both ran new season-best times in the 400 meters as well. Richards (46.01) moved to fourth all-time at Iowa, and Lawrence, Jr. ran 46.52 to finish seventh in a loaded field.
In the 60 meters, sophomore Kalen Walker improved his school record twice on the afternoon. In the qualifying round, Walker ran 6.63. In the prelims, he ran 6.70 before ultimately running 6.61 to win the final. Walker’s time currently ranks ninth in the country and second in the Big Ten.
Sophomore LaSarah Hargove also improved her 60-meter school record with a time of 7.25 in the prelims. Her time currently ranks 13th in the NCAA and second in the Big Ten.
“Having two athletes in the final of the 60 meters in a meet like this is pretty big,” Woody said. “To be able to go head-to-head against some SEC schools and some of the top sprinters in the country, you can’t say enough good things about Kalen Walker.”
The women’s 400-meter group recorded six personal-best times, led by freshman Tesa Roberts (54.30) who moved to eighth all-time at Iowa. Senior Payton Wensel (54.51), junior Mariel Bruxvoort (54.70), and freshmen Chloe Larsen (56.09), Sarah Bova (56.15) and Laney Fitzpatrick (56.33) also ran career-bests.
In Ames, the Hawkeyes had a productive day in the distance events and weight throw. Freshman Max Murphy ran a personal-best 5,000 meters in 14:01.48, finishing fifth. Sophomore Nick Trattner also ran a career best (14:08.62) to finish seventh. Murphy moved to No. 5 all-time at Iowa and Trattner moved to No. 7.
“Max [Murphy] ran his second collegiate 5K and improved by nearly 30 seconds,” assistant coach Randy Hasenbank said. “That will be a good race distance for him. Nick [Trattner] had a very good performance as well and has a lot of room left for improvement.”
Four Hawkeye women recorded new personal-bests in the 3,000 meters. Sophomore Kelli Tosic finished 11th (9:41.06), freshmen Brooke McKee finished 15th (9:48.14), Ellie Twedt was 28th (10:09.96) and Abby Ryon came in 29th (10:12.64).
“Our women have been very consistent in practice, so I was not surprised,” Hasenbank said. “Each one had a goal and a race plan. They ran even splits and were rewarded with some nice personal-best times.”
Senior Tyler Lienau finished runner up in the weight throw (21.41m / 70’3”) and sophomore Jordan Hawkins finished sixth (19.72m / 64’8.5”). Junior Amanda Howe finished third on the women’s side (20.31m / 66’7.75”) and sophomore Jamie Kofron finished fifth (19.66m / 64’6”).
The Hawkeyes are back on the track at both meets tomorrow morning for day two.
HAWKEYE RESULTS (Tyson Invitational):
Women’s Long Jump:
15. Tionna Tobias – 5.84m (19’2”)
30. Jade Mcdonald – 5.51m (18’1”)
31. Kayla Hutchins – 5.48m (17’11.75”)
34. Elli Johnson – 4.85m (15’11”)
Men’s Long Jump:
10. James Carter Jr. – 7.45m (24’5.5”)
Women’s 60 Hurdles Qualifying:
8. Miya Brines – 8.57q, Personal Best
9. Jade McDonald – 8.58, Personal Best
10. Paige Magee – 8.59
12. Tionna Tobias – 8.62
16. Ellie Johnson – 9.04
Men’s 60 Hurdles Qualifying:
7. Gratt Reed – 7.93q
9. Kalil Johnson – 8.05
19. Austin West – 8.35
25. Josh Braverman – 8.81
Women’s 60 Hurdles Prelims:
13. Miya Brines – 8.58
Men’s 60 Hurdles Prelims:
10. Grant Conway – 7.90
11. Gratt Reed – 7.90
Men’s 60 Meters Qualifying:
2. Kalen Walker – 6.63q, School Record, Personal Best
12. Gratt Reed – 6.83
25. Kalil Johnson – 6.97
Men’s 60 Meters Prelims:
7. Kalen Walker – 6.70q
Men’s 60 Meters Final:
1. Kalen Walker – 6.61, School Record, Personal Best
Women’s 60 Meters Prelims:
1. LaSarah Hargrove – 7.25Q, School Record, Personal Best
12. Lia Love – 7.52
Women’s 60 Meters Final:
8. LaSarah Hargrove – 7.81
Women’s 400 Meters:
16. Tesa Roberts – 54.30, No. 8 all-time, Personal Best
21. Payont Wensel – 54.51, Personal Best
24. Mariel Bruxvoort – 54.70, Personal Best
35. Chloe Larsen – 56.09, Personal Best
36. Sarah Bova – 56.15, Personal Best
39. Laney Fitzpatrick – 56.33, Personal Best
Men’s 400 Meters:
1. Jenoah McKiver – 45.39, School Record, Personal Best
4. Chadrick Richards – 46.01, No. 4 all-time, Personal Best
7. Wayne Lawrence Jr. – 46.52
14. Julien Gillum – 46.90
27. Everett Steward – 47.77, Personal Best
30. Phillip Jefferson – 47.96, Personal Best
36. Drake Woody – 48.23, Personal Best
38. Armando Bryson – 48.25
47. Spencer Gudgel – 49.05, Personal Best
HAWKEYE RESULTS (Iowa State Classic):
Men’s Weight Throw:
2. Tyler Lienau – 21.41m (70’3”)
6. Jordan Hawkins – 19.72m (64’8.5”)
10. Sean Smith – 19.01m (62’4.5”)
11. Jordan Johnson – 18.85m (61’10.25”)
Women’s Weight Throw:
3. Amanda Howe – 20.31m (66’7.75”)
5. Jamie Kofron – 19.66m (64’6”), Personal Best
Women’s High Jump:
4. Maria Gorham – 1.66m (5’5.25”)
T12. Anne Guest – 1.56m (5’1.25”)
T12. Kiersten Fisher – 1.56m (5’1.25”)
15. Jade Hunter – 1.51m (4’11.5”)
Women’s 5,000 Meters:
21. Madeline Block – 17:49.35
Women’s 3,000 Meters:
11. Kelli Tosic – 9:41.06, Personal Best
15. Brooke Mckee – 9:48.14, Personal Best
28. Ellie Twedt – 10:09.96, Personal Best
29. Abby Ryon – 10:12.64, Personal Best
32. Micah Poellet – 10:19.68
Men’s 5,000 Meters:
5. Max Murphy – 14:01.48, No. 5 all-time, Personal Best
7. Nick Trattner – 14:08.62, No. 7 all-time, Personal Best
14. Noah Healy – 14:21.32