FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Iowa track and field program got underway with an early qualifier on Wednesday at the NCAA West Preliminary hosted by the University of Arkansas.
Sophomore Mike Stein fired 74.78 meters (245’ 4”) to qualify in the men’s javelin. Stein’s throw placed third at the West Preliminary.
The native of Milford, Iowa, ranks third nationally heading into the NCAA Championships with a personal best of 81.19 meters (266’ 4”) set last time out at the Big Ten Championships.
In the men’s 800 meters, junior Rivaldo Marshall cruised to victory in his heat with a 1:48.31 to advance to Friday’s quarterfinal. Marshall previously became Iowa’s first 800-meter national champion on March 9 at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Freshman Issac Lewis advanced automatically to Friday with a runner-up 51.23 finish in his 400-hurdles heat. Lewis’ time is a new personal record and ranks 19th overall in the first round.
Senior Quintin Lyons heaved 17.97 meters (58’ 11.5”) for a personal best in the men’s shot put. That mark was good for 20th overall for the Hawkeye veteran seeded No. 42 heading into the meet.
The men’s hammer throw was delayed due to weather in the morning and made up over the late-night hours. Redshirt freshman Austin Busch came within one place of qualifying with a 66.17-meter (217’ 1”) effort that finished 13th in the event. Sophomore Sean Smith placed 22nd with at throw of 63.78 meters (209’ 3”).
HEAR FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK AND FIELD JOEY WOODY
“Today was an up and down day, but we had some terrific highlights with Mike Stein starting us off with a huge performance to punch his first ticket to the NCAA finals in Eugene. He missed qualifying last year, so I am super proud of Mike and how far he has come this season.
“We had some rough performances in the hurdles and the 100 meters. I know those guys are all very disappointed and expected way more, but they have all had terrific seasons. I am extremely proud and thankful for our seniors Gratt Reed and Grant Conway and what they’ve done for this program over the last five and six years.
“I thought Rivaldo ran a great, tactical race from start to finish in the 800 meters and set himself up really well heading into the next round on Friday. Isaac Lewis performed extremely well in the 400 hurdles to punch his ticket to Friday’s quarterfinal round. He has performed so well all season and has been super mature in how he competes, especially for a true freshman. I am excited to see what those guys can do on Friday.”
UP NEXT
Iowa women’s track and field athletes get underway tomorrow for the second of four days at the NCAA West Preliminary in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 100 Meters First Round
46. Damoy Allen – 11.91
Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles First Round
29. Grant Conway – 13.87
32. Kai Graves-Blanks – 13.95
34. Gratt Reed – 14.02
43. Kalil Johnson – 14.45
Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles First Round
19. Isaac Lewis 51.23 Q, PR
Men’s 800 Meters First Round
14. Rivaldo Marshall – 1:48.31 Q
43. Caleb Levy – 1:51.65
Men’s Hammer Throw First Round
13. Austin Busch – 66.17 meters (217’ 1”)
22. Sean Smith – 63.78 meters (209’ 3”)
Men’s Javelin First Round
3. Mike Stein – 74.78 meters (245’ 4”)
Men’s Shot Put First Round
20. Quintin Lyons – 17.97 meters (58’ 11.5”), PR