Iowa Opens Strong at Tom Jones, Jim Duncan and Bryan Clay

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Iowa track and field competed at three locations across the nation on Friday. 

The Hawkeyes opened the weekend at the Tom Jones Memorial Invite in Gainesville, Florida, which is one of the week’s most competitive meets nationally.

In the men’s 200-meter invite, two Hawkeyes approached their personal bests. Senior Austin Kresley ran a season-best 20.68 to place 19th in his second outdoor race this year. Senior Damoy Allen was close behind at 20.84 to finish 23rd. 

Kresley (20.26) and Allen (20.70) were each within striking distance of personal bests; Kresley’s career best is an Iowa program record. 

Sophomore Carson Houg placed fourth in the 1,500 meters with a personal best of 3:55.65. 

At the Jim Duncan Invitational, Iowa throwers posted a number of notable results. 

In the women’s discus, freshman Sydnie Smith threw 46.96 meters (154’ 1”) for a personal best and first place finish. Senior Jamie Kofron was close behind, throwing 45.70 meters (149’ 11”) to take second in the event. 

“Sydnie had a PR and is doing well as a true freshman finding her stride,” said throws coach Ray Robinson. “She’s got much bigger throws in there that will come out with experience. It is always nice to get your first win.”

Senior Jordan Johnson was also victorious in the men’s discus, winning with a 55.55-meter (182’ 3”) mark. Sophomore Walker Whalen threw 50.18 (164’ 7”) for a personal best and fourth place finish in the event. 

Senior Quintin Lyons placed third in the men’s shot put with a mark of 17.25 meters (56’ 7.25”). 

“Jordan had a great day,” Robinson added. “He’s coming back from a major injury, and I’m glad he was able to open solidly and walk away completely healthy. Quintin had a great series, and I thought threw really well.”

Sophomore Wisdom Williams took second in the women’s shot put, throwing 14.80 meters (48’ 6.75”). Senior Alivia Bauer placed second place in the hammer throw, tossing 54.73 meters (179’ 6”).

“Wisdom had a solid performance and is close to some big throws,” said Robinson. “Alivia Bauer is really close. She overcame adversity on a close call that could have been a PR and still put together a solid outing.”

Iowa picked up another 1-2 finish in the women’s 3K steeplechase, with Brooke McKee racing 11:12.62 for first place and Rowan Boulter taking second in 11:19.87. 

The Hawkeyes also competed at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California. Highlights included a pair of personal records in the 5,000 meters. Junior Miriam Sandeen placed 25th in the women’s 5,000-meter open B, racing 17:01.02 for a personal best. In the men’s 5,000-meter open, sophomore Will Ryan recorded a lifetime best of 14:11.52. 

“Miriam was fantastic in her 5k,” said Associate Head Coach Randy Hasenbank. “She was very patient and hit goal pace the whole way. As a result, she was rewarded with a personal best.

“Will Ryan also ran a really solid 5K, posting a lifetime best. His last 1,000 meters were really impressive. He is a young guy that has come a long way.”

HEAR FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK AND FIELD JOEY WOODY
“We had some great performances from Austin Kresley and Damoy Allen in the 200 today. Seeing Damoy run close to his PR in his opening race of the outdoor season is a great sign of what’s to come throughout the rest of the season. I was very pleased with Austin’s performance in his second meet of the season coming off of his injury indoors.”

UP NEXT
Iowa finishes the weekend on Saturday at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida. The Hawkeyes also compete at the Beach Invitational in Long Beach, California, and the Bryan Clay Invitational in Auza, California.

HAWKEYE RESULTS

Jim Duncan
Women’s 800m
19. Lily Johannes – 2:28.48
20. Ava Rush – 2:30.23
24. Clare Edmonson – 2:34.33

Men’s 800m
11. Martin Strong – 1:56.33

Women’s 3K Steeplechase
1. Brooke McKee – 11:12.62
2. Rowan Boulter – 11:19.87

Women’s 5,000m
3. Aleah Tenpas – 18:08.65

Men’s Shot Put
3. Quintin Lyons – 17.25 meters (56’ 7.25”)

Women’s Shot Put
2. Wisdom Williams – 14.80 meters (48’ 6.75”)

Women’s Discus
1. Sydnie Smith – 46.96 meters (154’ 1”), PR
2. Jamie Kofron – 45.70 meters (149’ 11”)

Men’s Discus
1. Jordan Johnson – 55.55 meters (182’ 3”)
4. Walker Whalen – 50.18 (164’ 7”), PR

Women’s Hammer
2. Alivia Bauer – 54.73 meters (179’ 6”)
6. Wisdom Williams – 48.73 meters (159’ 10”)

Tom Jones
Women’s 200m Open
33. Brynley McDermott – 24.93
36. Julia Pattison – 25.00

Women’s 200m Invite
43. Holly Duax – 24.14

Men’s 200m Open
28. Miles Granjean – 21.91

Men’s 200m Invite
19. Austin Kresley – 20.68
23. Damoy Allen – 20.84

Women’s 400mH Open
20. Ali Frandsen – 1:03.06

Women’s 400mH Invite
30. Nylah Perry – 1:01.39

Men’s 400mH
12. Isaac Lewis – 52.95
15. Nathan Farrell – 53.85

Men’s 1,500m
4. Carson Houg – 3:55.65, PR

Bryan Clay Invitational
Women’s 800m
61. Jaiden Itson – 2:11.74
178. Clare Kelly – 2:17.39

Women 800m Invite
84. Grace Bookin-Nosbisch – 2:08.86
93. Amber Aesoph – 2:09.30
101. Clare Pitcher – 2:10.04
113. Katie Moore – 2:11.65

Men’s 800m Invite
68. Ryan Schreiner – 1:50.50
88. Chase Lovercheck – 1:51.18

Women’s 5,000m Open B
25. Miriam Sandeen – 17:01.02, PR

Men’s 5,000m Open
Will Ryan – 14:11.52, PR

Men’s 5,000m Open B
69. Brayden Burnett – 14:52.22