AUSTIN, Texas – University of Iowa track and field concluded its men’s outdoor season with finals performances from the 4×100 relay quartet and James Carter Jr. in the triple jump.
The first finals event on the track was the men’s 4×100 relay, where the Hawkeyes were represented by Kalen Walker, Austin Kresley, Gratt Reed and Damoy Allen. The quartet qualified for the finals on Wednesday night, zipping to a new school record 38.64. Despite a strong start from lane one, the Hawkeyes failed an exchange and did not finish.
“I’m very proud of these guys for how they’ve competed all year, including all of the alternates who ran throughout the season to help us get to this meet,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said of the 4×100 team. “We didn’t finish the way we expected, but that definitely leaves a sour taste in our mouth to motivate us this offseason. All four guys return from that final relay plus Khullen Jefferson, who we redshirted this outdoor season. I am very excited for what we can do next season.”
Senior James Carter Jr. returned to the NCAA Championships, competing in the triple jump and leaping 15.69 meters (51’ 5.75”). Carter improved on his honorable mention performance from a year ago, earning second team honors with a 13th-place finish.
“I know this isn’t how James wanted to go out, but he leaves Iowa as possibly the top all-time conference point scorer in school history,” Woody said of the Hawkeye senior. “He’s done amazing things for this team and has definitely left his mark.”
Junior Tionna Tobias finished day one of the heptathlon in 14th place with 3,438 points. The Big Ten Champion started strong with a second-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles, cruising in 13.23. After gaining 1,090 points in the first event, Tobias followed up with a 1.66-meter (5’ 5.25”) mark in the high jump, before turning in a 10.30 meter (33’ 9.50”) effort in the shot put. Her night came to a close with the 200-meter race, where Tobias sped to a season-best 23.87.
“Tionna started off the day with a great hurdle race and kept things going with a good showing in the high jump. She was just one bar away from her personal best,” said Woody. “The shot put didn’t go as well as we would’ve liked, but she came back with an all conditions best in the 200 to finish out day one. I’m very excited for her to build on this on day two.”
The Hawkeyes wrap up competition at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday with Tobias’ final three events in the heptathlon, beginning at 4 p.m. (CT).
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Heptathlon
14. Tionna Tobias – 3,438 points
2. 100-meter hurdles – 13.23 (1090)
17. High Jump – 1.66 meters (5’ 5.25”) (806)
23. Shot Put – 10.30 meters (33’ 9.50”) (549)
7. 200-meters – 23.87, SB, (993)
4×100 relay
DNF – Walker, Kresley, Reed, Allen
Triple Jump
13. James Carter Jr. 15.69 meters (51’ 5.75”)