SACRAMENTO, Calif. – University of Iowa men’s track and field kicked off the NCAA West Preliminaries on Wednesday with four Hawkeyes advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday.
Juniors Austin Kresley, Jenoah McKiver, and Gratt Reed and senior Julien Gillum all earned automatic qualifications in their respective events. Kresley, McKiver and Gillum won their heats, while Reed took second in his race.
“I’m very proud of all of our guys today, and so thankful to our seniors and everything they’ve done for our program,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Our athletes all competed very well. I’m very excited for Gratt, Julien, Jenoah, and Austin for automatically qualifying and setting them up well heading into the quarterfinals on Friday.”
Kresley closed the day for the Hawkeyes with the fastest 200 meters in the west region, crossing the finish line in 20.33. In the 400 meters, McKiver won his heat in 45.70 – good for fifth on the day. Gillum ran 50.37, adding another heat win for a Hawkeye and sixth in the field.
Senior Elijah Barnes ended his collegiate career with a personal best in shot put. The Fort Madison, Iowa, native’s 18.57-meter (60′ 11.25″) throw ranks eighth all-time in the Hawkeye record book. Alongside Barnes, junior Quintin Lyons posted a personal best with a 17.84-meter (58’ 6.5”) mark.
“Elijah (Barnes) ended his career on a very positive note with another personal best,” Coach Woody said. “Quintin (Lyons) had a great day with a huge PR to finish a great season after the adversity he had to overcome this fall and winter.”
The women’s first rounds of the NCAA West Preliminaries begins on Thursday at noon (CT) with the hammer throw.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
100 Meters
32. Kalen Walker – 10.48
200 Meters
1. Austin Kresley – 20.33, qualified for quarterfinals
400 Meters
5. Jenoah McKiver – 45.70, qualified for quarterfinals
800 Meters
28. Spencer Gudgel – 1:50.80
40. Ryan Schreiner –1:51.50
43. Tyler Olson – 1:52.30
110 Hurdles
8. Gratt Reed – 13.70, qualified for quarterfinals
26. Grant Conway – 13.99
400 Hurdles
6. Julien Gillum – 50.37, qualified for quarterfinals
28. Phillip Jefferson – 52.11
37. Nathan Farrell – 52.98
Long Jump
13. James Carter – 7.58 meters, 24’ 10.5”
Shot Put
20. Elijah Barnes – 18.57 meters, 60′ 11.25″, PR, 8th all-time at Iowa
30. Quintin Lyons – 17.84 meters, 58’ 6.5”, PR
Hammer
40. Sean Smith – 58.20 meters, 190’ 11”
Javelin
15. Mike Stein – 66.64 meters, 218’ 8”