GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Iowa track and field team concluded the first day of the Florida Relays at James G. Pressly Stadium, Percy Beard Track, highlighted by sophomore LaSarah Hargrove’s third-place finish in the women’s 200-meter dash.
Hargrove moved to fourth on Iowa’s all-time list (23.09) and freshman teammate Lia Love added her name to the all-time list as well (23.64, No. 10 all-time).
“LaSarah getting third in this meet is a big deal,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “She actually didn’t have the best start, but once she got up and moving, she had a lot of confidence. I was pleased with how she competed to the finish line and she won her heat by a good margin.”
The 400-meter hurdles were another bright spot for the Hawkeye men and women. Junior Mariel Bruxvoort (57.83), and seniors Payton Wensel 58.05) and Erin Dowd (58.08) finished seventh through ninth. Sophomore Paige Magee (58.48) finished 14th. Bruxvoort moved to fifth all-time at Iowa, Wensel jumped to sixth on the list and Magee ran the eighth-fastest time in Iowa history. All four Hawkeyes now occupy the top-10 list (Dowd, No. 4).
“Seeing the smile on their faces was awesome,” Woody said. “Payton ran a PR by over three seconds. We knew it was there, they just needed to get confident in their race rhythm. They have all bought into the stuff we’ve been doing.”
On the men’s side, junior Julien Gillum made his Hawkeye 400-meter hurdle debut (51.33) and finished 11th. Freshman Drake Woody also recorded a career-best time (52.24) and finished 19th.
“Julien hadn’t ran that race since junior college three years ago, so that was fun to see him get back at it,” Woody said. “He’s the ultimate competitor, and he’s going to show up every time that gun goes off. Drake is starting to figure his rhythm out and I think he had a lot left in the tank.”
In the men’s 200-meters, freshman Austin Kresley (20.83) and sophomore Gratt Reed (20.92) both dipped below 21 seconds and recorded career-best times, finishing 14th and 17th, respectively.
“Both of those guys competed well,” Woody said. “Seeing Austin go out and run 20.8 in his first 200-meter race of the season is going to be a big confidence builder for him.”
In the hammer throw, junior Amanda Howe finished eighth with a near personal-best mark (62.03m / 203’6”), and sophomore Jamie Kofron (50.88m / 166’11”) and freshman Alivia Bauer (49.57m / 162’7”) both recorded personal-bests. On the men’s side, sophomore Jordan Hawkins finished 15th with a near personal-best throw (57.78m / 189’6”).
“It was great to see Amanda right near her PR and compete to make the final from the second flight,” Woody said. “Jordan was also right near his PR and competed well today.”
Junior James Carter, Jr., finished 11th in the invite section of the men’s long jump (7.38m / 24’2.5”) and sophomore Austin West was fifth in the open section (7.35m / 24’1.5”). Sophomore Tionna Tobias finished fifth on the women’s side (5.90m / 19’4.25”).
The Hawkeyes are back tomorrow for the final day of the Florida Relays with action slated to begin at 8 a.m. (CT).
HAWKEYE RESULTS:
Women’s Hammer Throw
8. Amanda Howe – 62.03m (203’6″)
28. Jamie Kofron – 50.88m (166’11”), PR
30. Alivia Bauer – 49.57m (162’7″), PR
Men’s Hammer Throw
15. Jordan Hawkins – 57.78m (189’6”)
Men’s Long Jump Invite
11. James Carter, Jr. – 7.38m (24’2.5”)
Men’s Long Jump
5. Austin West – 7.35m (24’1.5”)
Women’s Long Jump
5. Tionna Tobias – 5.90m (19’4.25”)
Women’s 200m
3. LaSarah Hargrove – 23.09, PR, No. 4 all-time
21. Lia Love – 23.64, PR, No. 10 all-time
Men’s 200m
14. Austin Kresley – 20.83
17. Gratt Reed – 20.92
Women’s 400H
7. Mariel Bruxvoort – 57.83, PR, No. 5 all-time
8. Payton Wensel – 58.05, PR, No. 6 all-time
9. Erin Dowd – 58.08
14. Paige Magee – 58.48, PR, No. 8 all-time
Men’s 400H
11. Julien Gillum – 51.33, PR
19. Drake Woody – 52.24, PR
23. Raymonte Dow – 52.71
24. Phillip Jefferson – 53.01