Men's Track & FieldMay 25, 2024

Magee Punches Ticket to Nationals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Iowa track and field concluded action at the NCAA West Preliminary on Saturday. Senior Paige Magee qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 100 hurdles.

Magee says she didn’t get off to the start she wanted, but the veteran closed strong to place 10th overall and qualify on time at 13.01.

“There was a second there when I thought my final outdoor season was going to be over,” said Magee. “I am always a closer. If you look at my splits across the board, my second-half splits are faster than the first. I can’t complain about surviving. I don’t think qualifying ever gets old.”

𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁! 🎟️@_paigemagee races 13.01 to secure a trip to Eugene 🛫#Hawkeyes x #NCAATF pic.twitter.com/TMbOCsQIty

— Iowa Track & Field/Cross Country (@IowaXC_TF) May 25, 2024

Magee was a second-team All-American in the event last season, placing 13th at nationals (13.08). The Columbia, Missouri, native also placed 14th indoors this season in the 60 hurdles.

“We see every year that we have the hardest region, and the teams keep getting faster,” said Magee. “In a region where people are hitting marks like 12.3, I am grateful to earn a spot to Eugene. You survive and advance.”

Magee has survived the national gauntlet before. Over the course of her career, Magee is a six-time All-American in events spanning the 60 hurdles, 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 4×100 and 4×400.

“It is always exciting,” Magee said. “My first time at nationals felt surreal given the adversity I faced the season prior. This being my final outdoor season, it feels like things have come full circle to the beginning of my career.”

Freshman Daniela Wamokpego jumped a new personal best of 13.35 meters (43’ 9.75”) on Saturday. That mark is a new personal best and ranks third all-time at Iowa. The rookie placed 14th in the preliminary.

Junior Lia Love advanced to both the 100-meter and 200-meter quarterfinals earlier in the week. Love closed her season with an 11.26 result in the 100 and 23.08 in the 200, finishing 19th in each race.

Heading into the final outdoor meet of her career, Magee sees many positives for the team this week as it moves forward.

“A lot of circumstances have worked against us this season, and people continue to put their best foot forward,” said Magee. “Lia (Love) has been very consistent, and we saw breakthroughs from her today.

“Although she did not make it through to the next round, that is the consistency and progress you want to see. On the men’s side, Isaac Lewis’ baseline in the 400 hurdles has been impressive in his first year competing in that event. All around, we have a lot of people that will show something next year.”

Iowa’s delegation advancing at nationals includes Magee (women’s 100 hurdles), senior Jordan Johnson (men’s discus), senior Rivaldo Marshall (men’s 800 meters), sophomore Mike Stein (men’s javelin) and senior Austin West (men’s decathlon).

HEAR FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK AND FIELD JOEY WOODY
““I am very excited for Paige making it through to the 100 hurdles again even though she did not have the best-executed race. She has got the ability to make the finals in two weeks, so we just need to lock in on a few things to get her moving fast earlier in the race.

“Today was a tough day for the women’s team, with Kat Moody, Daniela Wamokpego and Alli Bookin-Nosbisch missing qualifying to nationals in their event. I feel for Kat, who as a senior missed close in two events this weekend. That doesn’t take away from everything she has accomplished this season, especially her Big Ten Title in the discus. She is a home-grown talent and can leave as one of the best throwers in program history. Kat had an amazing career at Iowa and I am proud of everything she has done in a Hawkeye uniform.

“I thought Alli ran a great race, finishing just outside of the top three auto-qualifiers in her heat. She was very close to punching her ticket to Eugene, and I know she expected to be there. She is driven to make it happen, and I am certain she will make huge strides between now and next year at this meet. Daniela Wamokpego has had a fantastic season, qualifying for indoor nationals and just missing it outdoors today. I was proud of her coming back after an injury earlier this outdoor season to hit a season’s best mark and give herself a shot. Unfortunately, it wasn’t good enough today.

“I am super proud of Mariel Bruxvoort and everything she has accomplished in her career at Iowa. She has overcome a lot since her freshman year and has left her mark as one of the all-time best 400 hurdlers in our program. Lia Love had a terrific weekend running personal bests in the 200 and near her PR in the 100. I know that she expects more, and I believe she will make it to Eugene next year in multiple events. She has the drive and the ability to be at that level. We just need to go to work and make it happen.

“Annie Wirth is someone who kind of struggled today but has had a great freshman season. I am excited to see her growth and development from now until next year at this time. Lastly, the 4×100 team didn’t quite have it today to get through, but those young women have had a great season together. They are very motivated to take it to the next level in the year ahead.”

UP NEXT
Iowa track and field competes at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from June 5-8.