Korczak Earns Trip to Nationals, Hawkeyes Advance 7 to Quarters

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Iowa track and field junior Lizzy Korczak became the Hawkeyes’ fourth thrower to advance to the finals of the 2025 NCAA Championships, placing sixth in the first round of the javelin at 55.28 meters. Korczak’s series improved with each throw, firing 50.97 on her first throw and 54.39 on her second.

Korczak will join Ryan Johnson, Sean Smith and Mike Stein in Eugene on June 11-14.

In total, Iowa clinched seven quarterfinal appearances on Thursday.

“I thought the women competed very well today and we had some great performances overall,”  Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Lizzy got things started by punching her ticket in the javelin and moving on to Eugene as the women’s first NCAA finals qualifier. I was very pleased with how well we competed on the track, as well.”

On the track, sprinters Holly Duax and Lia Love moved on to Saturday’s quarterfinals in the 100 meters. The duo qualified on time, with Duax crossing the line in 11.29 and Love in 11.33. Later in the evening, the pair returned for the first round of the 200 meters. Love moved on to the quarterfinals on time in 23.18. Duax also ran 23.18 for a lifetime best after taking third in heat one.

“Lia and Holly had tremendous days qualifying in both the 100 and 200 meters,” Woody added. “Lia was right off of her personal record in both races, and Holly ran her fastest times ever in both events. Holly was the last qualifier to make it to this meet in the 200 and she went out and ran a tremendous curve in lane two to come away with an auto-Q to finish third in her heat.”

In the women’s 400 meters, Damaris Mutunga finished second in her heat to earn the auto-qualification in 51.69. The time is Mutunga’s new best and pushes her up to fourth in program history. She will be joined in the quarterfinals by Alivia Williams, who advanced on time in a personal-best 52.91.

“Damaris and Alivia ran very strong races to qualify for the quarterfinals,” said Woody. “Alivia was out alone in lane nine but went for it and ran just off of her lifetime best to get a time qualifier. Damaris ran her all-time best to finish second in her heat and get the auto-Q.”

Senior Alli Bookin-Nosbisch finished second in her heat of the 800 meters to earn the big Q in 2:03.83.

“Alli kept the momentum going running a terrific race and in a great position where she could pull back a bit to finish runner up comfortably She was able to get the auto-Q to Saturday’s 800 meter quarterfinal,” Woody added.

Up Next: The men return to competition with the quarterfinals on the track. The first round of the discus and triple jump, and semifinal of the high jump are contested to start the day. Events begin at 1:00 p.m. (CT) at E.B. Cushing Stadium. ESPN+ (subscription required) will have the broadcast.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 100 Meters First Round
18. Holly Duax - 11.29, q
24. Lia Love - 11.33, q 

Women’s 200 Meters First Round
15. Lia Love - 23.18, q
16. Holly Duax - 23.18, Q, PR, 7th at Iowa

Women’s 400 Meters First Round
9. Damaris Mutunga - 51.69, Q, PR, 4th at Iowa
23. Alivia Williams - 52.91, q, PR
43. Chioma Nwachukwu - 55.91

Women’s 800 Meters First Round
7. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch - 2:03.83, Q
44. Gabby Cortez - 2:12.12

Women’s Javelin First Round
6. Lizzy Korczak - 55.28 meters (181’ 4”)

Women’s Long Jump First Round
28. Maud Zeffou-Poaty - 6.10 meters (20’ 0.25”)

Women’s Shot Put First Round
28. Wisdom Williams - 15.22 meters (49’ 11.25”)