FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — University of Iowa women’s track and field advanced five entries to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on the final day of the NCAA West Regional Quarterfinals at John McDonnell Field on Saturday.
Sophomore LaSarah Hargrove led the way, qualifying in two individual events (100m, 200m) as well as running the leadoff leg on Iowa’s school-record setting 4×100-meter relay (Hargrove/Lia Love/Erin Dowd/Paige Magee – 43.69) that punched its ticket to Eugene.
“The women’s 4×100 was spectacular,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Having those four women come together and perform the way they did at the right time was awesome. It really kick-started the meet off with some great energy. I had goosebumps and was screaming my head off after I saw that time pop. It’s just an exciting group to be able to take to the national meet.”
Hargrove (11.05w) ran an all-conditions personal-best time to qualify eighth-fastest in the 100 meters. She doubled back and clocked another all-conditions personal-best time (22.58w) to win her heat and qualify fourth-fastest overall.
“LaSarah had one of the best all-time performances in Iowa track and field history today,” Woody said. “Just look at her performances. A couple of slightly wind-aided times, but the way she performed – I don’t remember another athlete that has had to do that and make it in three events to the NCAA Championships. I’m super excited for her and proud of how she represented Iowa women’s track and field.”
In the 400-meter hurdles, the Hawkeyes pushed a pair of women through to Eugene. Senior Erin Dowd (57.01) and sophomore Paige Magee (57.06) punched tickets to the NCAA Championships. Magee’s time was a career best by over eighth-tenths of a second and fifth-fastest ever at Iowa.
“We had five women in that race and were hoping to get more through obviously, but we had some tough conditions with the winds the way they were,” Woody said of the 400-meter hurdle group. “Erin has had an exceptional season and competed very well today. Paige had a huge breakthrough and has just been trusting the training and getting more confident every time she races. She really excelled today and I’m very proud of her.”
The women’s 4×400-meter relay team of junior Mariel Bruxvoort, Dowd, senior Payton Wensel and sophomore Tesa Roberts ran what would have been the second-fastest time in program history (3:31.72). The quartet finished third in its heat, which would have advanced it to Eugene, but received a DQ.
“I’m heartbroken for our women in the 4×400, that was just gut-wrenching,” Woody said. “They ran their hearts out today and I just feel terrible for them. They proved themselves today as one of the best in the country and unfortunately they just don’t get to show what they can do at the national meet.”
Wensel’s career officially came to a close after a terrific senior season. She ends her Hawkeye career as a First Team All-American as a member of the indoor 4×400-meter relay this past season, No. 7 on Iowa’s all-time 400-meter hurdle list and ran the fastest split on today’s relay (51.86).
“I just felt terrible for Payton, being a senior,” Woody said. “It’s unfortunate that this is how she’s going to finish her career, but she’s had a tremendous year and really took herself to a whole new level. I’m very happy that she’s a part of our program and what she’s done for that women’s 400-meter hurdle group.”
The five entries for the women will join the 10 Hawkeye men’s entries at the NCAA Championships on June 8-11.
“This is what we’re about, we are big-time performers at championship meets and that’s what you have to do to be one of the best teams in the country,” Woody said. “I love this meet and the head-to-head competition. You don’t get a bye, you have to prove yourself on the day. I’m excited about what we’re taking to Eugene and we’re really looking to be one of the best teams in the country and fight for a trophy.”
NCAA QUALIFIERS:
4x100m Relay – LaSarah Hargrove, Lia Love, Erin Dowd, Paige Magee
100m – LaSarah Hargrove
200m – LaSarah Hargrove
400m Hurdles – Erin Dowd, Paige Magee
HAWKEYE RESULTS:
Women’s Discus
18. Kat Moody – 52.56m / 172’5”
Women’s 100m Hurdles
14. Myreanna Bebe – 13.04w
Women’s 400m Hurdles
6. Erin Dowd – 57.01, National Qualifier
8. Paige Magee – 57.06, PR, No. 5 all-time, National Qualifier
17. Mariel Bruxvoort – 58.12
18. Payton Wensel – 58.31
24. Nylah Perry – 1:01.49
Women’s 100m
8. LaSarah Hargrove – 11.05w, National Qualifier
Women’s 200m
4. LaSarah Hargrove – 22.58w, National Qualifier
Women’s 800m
24. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch – 2:09.30
Women’s 4x100m
4. Hargrove/Love/Dowd/Magee – 43.69, School Record, National Qualifiers
Women’s 4x400m Relay
DQ – Bruxvoort/Dowd/Wensel/Roberts – 3:31.72