FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — University of Iowa track and field advanced nine women to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA West Regional Prelims on Thursday at John McDonnell Field, highlighted by five qualifiers in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Hawkeyes went a perfect five-for-five in the 400-meter hurdles, led by seniors Erin Dowd (57.43) and Payton Wensel (57.75) who qualified fifth and tenth-fastest, respectively. Junior Mariel Bruxvoort (57.81) qualified 12th-fastest, sophomore Paige Magee (58.19) advanced 18th-fastest and freshman Nylah Perry (58.72) moved to ninth all-time at Iowa, qualifying with the 22nd-fastest time. All five women now have their names on Iowa’s all-time top-10 list.
“I’m super proud of that group,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “They went out and sent it right from the gun. I was proud of how they attacked the race and trusted their rhythm and went after it. That’s a big statement. When you have five of the top-24 in the region in one event it really sends a statement about what kind of program we are. It was a big breakthrough for Nylah today and she really set the tone from that first heat on. Now we’re looking to punch some tickets to Eugene on Saturday.”
In the 100-meter hurdles, sophomore Myreanna Bebe (13.28) recorded a new personal best and advanced to Saturday. She improved her No. 4 all-time mark at Iowa.
“She (Bebe) was really competing well in the middle of the race and just ran up on the last couple hurdles,” Woody said. “If she can clean a couple things up I think she can run 13.0 and give herself a shot at Eugene.”
Sophomore LaSarah Hargrove went two-for-two on the day, advancing to Saturday in the 100 meters (11.33) and 200 meters (23.04). She qualified seventh-fastest and moved into a tie for second on Iowa’s all-time list in the 100 meters with freshman teammate Lia Love (11.62) who finished 31st overall. Hargrove’s 200-meter time sent her to Saturday as the sixth-fastest qualifier.
“It was a tremendous day for LaSarah,” Woody said. “She really competed and finished the race well in that 100. She had an amazing start and execution running the curve in the 200. She maybe got a little bit too comfortable in the middle, but she was able to accelerate to the line and put herself in a good spot for the final.”
In the 800 meters, freshman Alli Bookin-Nosbisch (2:07.17) used a strong finish to propel her into the 22nd-qualifying spot.
“She just continues to gain confidence every time she steps on the track,” Woody said of Bookin-Nosbisch. “She made her first Big Ten final this year and I think she’s really proving herself to be one of the best 800-meter runners in the conference and today was a great showing for her. I’m excited to see what she can do on Saturday.”
Also competing on the day was Big Ten Champion and school-record holder Amanda Howe in the hammer throw. The junior finished 19th overall (60.35m / 198’0”) to close out a strong season.
Sophomore Tesa Roberts narrowly missed advancing in the 400 meters (54.06), finishing 29th. Junior Tionna Tobias (13.62) ran just off of her career-best time and finished 31st. Sophomore Kat Moody (15.39m / 50’6”) finished 34th in the shot put and will compete in discus on Saturday for another chance to punch a ticket to the NCAA Championships. Sophomore Clare Pitcher (2:09.77) finished her season 42nd in the 800 meters.
The Iowa men will be back on the track tomorrow and with a chance to punch some more tickets to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on June 8-11.
HAWKEYE RESULTS:
Women’s Hammer Throw
19. Amanda Howe – 60.35m / 198’0”
Women’s 100m Hurdles
14. Myreanna Bebe – 13.28 q, PR, No. 4 all-time
31. Tionna Tobias – 13.62
Women’s 100m
7. LaSarah Hargrove – 11.33 Q, PR, T-No. 2 all-time
31. Lia Love – 11.62
Women’s Shot Put
34. Kat Moody – 15.39m / 50’6”
Women’s 400m
29. Tesa Roberts – 54.06
Women’s 800m
22. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch – 2:07.17 q
42. Clare Pitcher – 2:09.77
Women’s 400m Hurdles
5. Erin Dowd – 57.43 Q
10. Payton Wensel – 57.75 Q
12. Mariel Bruxvoort – 57.81 Q
18. Paige Magee – 58.19 Q
22. Nylah Perry – 58.72 q, PR, No. 9 all-time
Women’s 200m
6. LaSarah Hargrove – 23.04 Q