FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – University of Iowa track and field sent sprinters, hurdlers, throwers and jumpers to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the Tyson Invitational, while mid-distance and distance were in Nashville for the Music City Challenge. The Hawkeyes improved on three top-10 marks on Friday afternoon.
Senior Amanda Howe highlighted Iowa’s day in Fayetteville, earning the women’s weight throw title with a new best toss of 21.78 meters (71’ 5.50”). Her mark improved her second place standing in Hawkeye history by over five tenths of a meter.
“Amanda (Howe) was tremendous in the weight throw,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Coach Robinson could sense that it was coming, it was just a matter of her putting it together. Not only for her to get a big PR, but to compete to win the meet. She has a lot of confidence going into Big Tens.”
“Unbelievable job by Amanda (Howe) today,” Assistant coach Ray Robinson added. “Beating three national qualifiers was so impressive. I think she is one of the most skilled throwers in the NCAA. She works really hard and is so deserving of this.”
Freshman Audrey Biermann continued to climb the school’s top-10 rankings, clocking a new personal record of 53.30 in the women’s 400-meter dash. Her mark now ranks sixth in Hawkeye history.
Senior Julien Gillum jumped from tenth to seventh in program history, following his time of 46.73 in the men’s 400 meters, setting a new personal best. Sophomore Chadrick Richards clocked a season-best 47.25 in the event, while juniors Connor Belken (47.41) and Evan Schuster (48.36) claimed personal bests.
“I was really excited about the 400s today,” Woody said. “I think we’re seeing some really good things there with a ton of PR’s today. Connor (Belken) had a huge PR.”
In Nashville, sophomore Jaiden Itson raced to a third place finish in the women’s 600-meter event in 1:31.28. The men’s 600-meter race featured three Hawkeyes, led by junior Armando Bryson (1:19.66). Freshman Ryan Schreiner continued his strong freshman campaign with a time of 1:20.41, while sophomore Nathan Farrell crossed the line in 1:21.12.
Junior Amber Aesoph returned to form in the women’s mile, stopping the clock in 4:44.33. “Amber (Aesoph) had a breakthrough today with the 4:44,” Woody said. “She’s on her way back to where she was last year at this time. I’m really excited about where she’s at.”
Junior Kelli Tosic led the charge in the women’s 5,000-meter race with a personal best of 16:57.07, followed by senior Maddie Block (17:14.42 PR) and junior Brooke McKee (17:24.38).
The Hawkeyes resume action tomorrow with the Music City Challenge at 8:30 a.m. and the Tyson Invite at 10:30 a.m.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Tyson Invite Results
Men’s 60-meter dash (qualifying)
31. Damoy Allen – 6.94
Men’s 60-meter prelims
9. Kalen Walker – 6.72
Women’s 60-meter dash (qualifying)
5. LaSarah Hargrove – 7.40, q
9. Lia Love – 7.44
Men’s 60-meter hurdles (qualifying)
2. Peyton Haack – 7.91, q, tPR
11. Austin West – 8.11
Men’s 60-meter hurdles prelims
15. Peyton Haack – 8.04
Women’s 60-meter hurdles (qualifying)
11. Tionna Tobias – 8.45
16. Natalie Harris – 8.71, PR
19. Katie Petersen – 8.82, PR
25. Ellie Rickertsen – 9.03
Women’s 60-meter hurdles prelims
5. Myreanna Bebe – 8.23, q
7. Paige Magee – 8.24, q
Women’s 60-meter hurdles finals
4. Myreanna Bebe – 8.19
7. Paige Magee – 8.27
Men’s 400-meter dash
7. Julien Gillum – 46.73, PR + 7th at Iowa
15. Chadrick Richards – 47.25, SB
23. Connor Belken – 47.41, PR
43. Evan Schuster – 48.36, PR
65. Everett Steward – 1:00.89
Women’s 400-meter dash
10. Audrey Biermann – 53.30, PR + 6th at Iowa
19. Chloe Larsen – 54.32, PR
20. Tesa Roberts – 54.42
Men’s Long Jump
4. Austin West – 7.43 meters (24’ 4.50”)
6. DeAndre Stapleton Jr. – 7.37 meters (24’ 2.25”), SB
11. Kaleba Jack – 7 meters (22’ 11.75”)
Men’s Long Jump Invitational
7. James Carter – 7.61 meters (24’ 11.75”)
Women’s Long Jump
7. Tionna Tobias – 5.88 meters (19’ 3.50”)
Men’s Weight Throw
4. Jordan Johnson – 19.80 meters (64’ 11.50”)
Women’s Weight Throw
1. Amanda Howe – 21.78 meters (71’ 5.50”), PR + 2nd at Iowa
9. Jamie Kofron – 19.10 meters (62’ 8”)
13. Alivia Bauer – 18.53 meters (60’ 9.50”)
Music City Challenge Results
Women’s Mile
13. Amber Aesoph – 4:44.33
48. Emma Gordon – 4:55.41
Men’s Mile
77. Nick O’Connor – 4:15.81
Women’s 600-meters
3. Jaiden Itson – 1:31.28
Men’s 600-meters
4. Armando Bryson – 1:19.66
8. Ryan Schriener – 1:20.41
12. Nathan Farrell – 1:21.12
Women’s 5,000-meters
18. Kelli Tosic – 16:57.07, PR
33. Maddie Block – 17:14.42, PR
34. Brooke McKee – 17:24.38