Bookin-Nosbisch, Korczak Become Second-Team All-Americans

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Iowa track and field student-athletes Alli Bookin-Nosbisch and Lizzy Korczak became All-Americans at Hayward Field on Thursday night. Both Hawkeyes earned second-team honors. Korczak finished 13th in the javelin and is the program’s first All-American in the event. Bookin-Nosbisch placed 15th in the 800 meters.

Making her NCAA Championships debut, redshirt junior Lizzy Korczak became a second-team All-American in the javelin. Competing in flight two, Korczak placed 13th at 53.18 meters. The native of Hassocks, England, took major strides throughout the season, setting Iowa’s javelin school record and earning the bronze at the Big Ten Championships.

“Lizzy (Korczak) didn’t have her best day and still finished as a second-team All-American for the first time in her career,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “She had a terrific season overall.”

Bookin-Nosbisch earned second-team All-America honors in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 2:03.78. The senior from Ottumwa, Iowa, placed 15th in the finale of her career. In her NCAA Championships debut, Bookin-Nosbisch became Iowa’s first All-American in the 800 meters since Kay Stormo was a first-teamer in 1982. She wrapped up her career at Iowa as the school-record holder in both the indoor and outdoor 800 meters.

“Alli (Bookin-Nosbisch) had an awesome season,” Woody added. “She has had an amazing career here with multiple podium finishes in the Big Ten Championships. Alli holds the school record in both 800s and multiple relays. This was her first NCAA Championship and I am so happy that she finished her career as an All-American.”

In the final event of the night, the women’s 4x400 team of Alivia Williams, Damaris Mutunga, Olicia Lucas and Chioma Nwachukwu coasted to the finals with a fourth-place time of 3:27.61 in the semifinals. Williams ran a lead leg of 52.54, before handing off to Mutunga who sprinted a 51.21 split. Lucas passed off to Nwachukwu, who finished strong in 50.54. The Hawkeyes will be back for the finals on Saturday night at 10:20 p.m. (CT), looking for their first women’s 4x400-relay All-America honor since 2016. A top-eight finish would be the first time the program has earned first-team All-America recognition in the event.

“The women finished the night off with an amazing 4x400 relay to punch our ticket to the finals,” Woody said. “Alivia (Williams) set the relay up with a great lead off leg, passing the stick to Damaris (Mutunga), who ran her fastest split of the year to put us into second place. Olicia (Lucas) kept us in the top four with a great third leg and then Chioma (Nwachukwu) ran an amazing 50.54 split to finish third in the heat and fourth fastest overall team going into the finals.”

Holly Duax, Alexandria Edison, Williams and Lia Love started Iowa’s night on the track, competing in the semifinals of the 4x100 relay. The quartet combined to run 43.99 and ultimately placed 20th. It was the third-fastest time in Iowa history. Duax, Edison and Williams made their NCAA Championships debut, while Love concluded her career on Thursday night. Love earned second-team All-American honors in the 4x100 relay in 2022. 

“The women’s 4x100 relay ran our second fastest time of the season and one of the top times in program history, but just didn’t have enough to make the finals. I’m very proud of that group and how they came together this season to qualify for this meet,” Woody said. 

“Lia (Love) was our lone senior and I want to recognize her for everything she’s done for this program. She’s a school record holder and on the top ten list in multiple events both indoors and outdoors. She has been a tremendous leader for this team and the sprint group since she arrived on campus four years ago.”

Freshman Damaris Mutunga was next on the track, running in the semifinals of the 400 meters. The native of Machakos, Kenya, closed out her rookie campaign with a 52.89 to place 22nd.

Up Next: The men’s 4x400 relay competes in the final at 9:20 p.m. (CT). Landon Fontenot, Zidane Brown, Josh Pugh and Terrick Johnson will look to become Iowa’s ninth first-team All-American 4x4 relay in program history. ESPN2 will broadcast the events on the track, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 400 Meters Semifinal
22. Damaris Mutunga - 52.89

Women’s 800 Meters Semifinal
15. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch - 2:03.78

Women’s 4x100 Relay Semifinal
20. Duax, Edison, Al. Williams, Love - 43.99, 3rd at Iowa

Women’s 4x400 Relay Semifinal
4. Al. Williams, Mutunga, Lucas, Nwachukwu - 3:27.61, q

Women’s Javelin Finals
13. Lizzy Korczak - 53.18 meters (174’ 6”)