WALNUT, Calif. – University of Iowa multi-event specialist Austin West claimed third place in the decathlon at the Mt. Sac Relays on Thursday, tallying 8,038 points.
West, an Iowa City native, returned to the Golden State and the Mt. Sac Relays to open his outdoor campaign, after he shattered the program’s decathlon record a year ago. West used a pair of top three finishes to earn third place overall and claimed the second highest collegiate score of the event.
“I’m very proud of Austin (West) and his performance today in some tough weather conditions,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “To score over 8,000 points again is incredible, especially in the rain and cold. This shows why Austin is one of the best Decathletes in the world.”
“It was amazing that Austin (West) was able to score over 8,000 points, considering we haven’t been able to train much since indoor season because of the poor weather conditions,” assistant coach Hadrien Choukroun said. “His maturity and experience allow him to be able to compete at a high level any time, any place.”
At the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, Brooke McKee started the night with another impressive performance in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. McKee once again climbed the school record books, finishing in new career best 10:39.88 to move to sixth in Hawkeye history.
“Great run by Brooke (McKee) tonight,” associate head coach Randy Hasenbank said. “A career best and improvement in the record books, but more importantly she looked sharp and is moving herself into scoring position in the Big Ten.”
Jack Pendergast (9:10.35) and Yohana Yual (9:13.11) continued their seasons with solid performances in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Bryan Clay Invite. Pendergast’s time was a new season best, and just a could seconds off his career best. Hayden Kuhn competed in the men’s 10,000-meter race at Mt. Sac, finishing in 30:38.89.
“Jack made some nice progress tonight, running his best race of the year and coming close to his personal best'” Hasenbank added. “Yohana took a rough spill mid-race, got up, and fought. The fall broke his momentum. We just need both of them to continue to prepare for the Big Ten meet. That race comes with a lot of adversity, so we need to grow and get ready for the next one. Hayden had a very nice debut in the 10K. He held it together really well through 8,000 meters, with the last mile being tough. Overall, a very nice debut that was well executed.”
The Hawkeyes continue competition at the Bryan Clay Invite at 9 a.m. (CT) and Mt. Sac at 8:15 p.m. (CT). Iowa will also start competition at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida, and the Jim Duncan Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa, tomorrow.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Mt. Sac Relays
Men’s 10K
21. Hayden Kuhn – 30:38.89
Decathlon
3. Austin West – 8,038 points
100 Meters:
6. Austin West – 10.60 (952 points), PR
10. Peyton Haack – 10.85 (894 points)
Long Jump:
4. Austin West – 7.44 meters; 24′ 5″ (920 points)
15. Peyton Haack – 6.68 meters; 21′ 11″ (739 points)
Shot Put:
11. Peyton Haack – 13.69 meters; 44′ 11″ (709 points)
13. Austin West – 13.44 meters; 44’ 1.75” (694 points)
High Jump:
6. Peyton Haack – 1.95 meters; 6′ 4.75″ (758 points)
8. Austin West – 1.92 meters; 6’ 3.5” (731 points)
400 Meters:
2. Austin West – 46.49 (984 points)
5. Peyton Haack – 48.26 (897 points), PR
110-hurdles:
8. Austin West – 14.35, PR (930 points)
9. Peyton Haack – 14.45, PR (917 points)
Discus:
8. Peyton Haack – 39.71 meters (130’ 3”), (659 points) PR
12. Austin West – 38.89 meters (127’ 7”) (642 points)
Pole Vault:
14. Austin West – 4.20 meters (13’ 9.25”) (673 points)
Javelin:
3. Austin West – 62.15 meters (203’ 11”), PR + 9th at Iowa (770 points)
1,500-meter run:
1. Austin West – 4:30.37 (742 points)
Bryan Clay Invite
Women’s 3K Steeplechase
65. Brooke McKee – 10:39.88, PR + 6th at Iowa
Men’s 3K Steeplechase
73. Jack Pendergast – 9:10.35, SB
83. Yohana Yual – 9:13.11