Hawkeyes Capture Women’s 4x400 Relay Title at Meyo Invite

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Iowa track and field team closed out the second day of competition by securing the women’s 4x400-meter relay title at the Meyo Invitational on Saturday evening. 

The team of Princess Uche, Leanna Lewis, Gabby Cortez, and Caila Lyons captured the title with a time of 3:40.13. The men’s team of Prior Ochonogor, David Akhalu, Terrick Johnson, and Jackson Johannes earned the silver in 3:12.01 on the men’s side.

The Hawkeyes added two new marks to the all-time list in the women’s 800-meter championship. Gabby Cortez led the charge with a personal-best 2:04.79, which is third all-time at Iowa. Leanna Lewis also set a lifetime best at 2:06.53, ranking seventh in program history. On the men’s side, Caleb Levy and Derek Leicht both secured personal bests, finishing eighth and ninth, respectively. Junior Clare Kelly led the Hawkeyes in the women’s 800-meter open, placing eighth in 2:10.91, while freshman Grace Boleyn posted a lifetime best of 2:14.11.

"Overall, we had a very good meet at Meyo with multiple PRs and top-10 all-time perforamnces," Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. "I thought Gabby and Caleb had terrific meets, including yesterday's results, with huge PRs in the 600 and 800 meters." 

In the men’s mile championship, junior Carson Lane made his way into the program record books with a time of 4:04.15. The mark is a lifetime best for Lane and ranks third all-time in program history. In the men’s mile open, sophomore Armaan Chopra and senior Jalyssa Blazek each recorded personal records.

Senior Hayden Kuhn joined the all-time list with a sixth-place finish in the Ryan Shay men’s 3,000-meter championship, crossing the line in 8:02.98. That time is good for sixth at Iowa. On the women’s side, sophomore Elena Torres posted a lifetime best of 9:35.28 in the championship.

"Carson had an unbelivable race in the mile and showed his great competitive range from the 600 to the mile," Woody added. "Hayden has battled some ups and downs, but came back out today and had a fantastic race in the 3k. I am so proud of how well everyone competed this weekend."

The Hawkeyes secured 10 personal bests and made four updates to the all-time list.

Up Next: Kalen Walker will compete at the Millrose Games on Sunday, Feb. 1, in New York City at 3:20 p.m. (CT). The rest of the Hawkeyes will return to action at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic and the Iowa State Classic on Feb. 6–7.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 800 Meters Open
29. Jashua Anglo - 1:55.75

Men’s 800 Meters Championship
8. Caleb Levy - 1:50.89, PR
9. Derek Leicht - 1:51.04, PR
12. Ryan Schreiner - 1:55.03

Women’s 800 Meters Open
8. Clare Kelly - 2:10.91
19. Grace Boleyn - 2:14.11, PR 
26. Julia Gehl - 2:16.56
36. Lily Johannes - 2:19.37

Women’s 800 Meters Championship
7. Gabby Cortez - 2:04.79, PR + 3rd at Iowa
8. Leanna Lewis - 2:06.53, PR + 7th at Iowa
11. Rosemary Arthur - 2:10.41
13. Caila Lyons - 2:11.50

Men’s Mile Open
24. Armaan Chopra - 4:12.88, PR

Men’s Mile Championship
7. Carson Lane - 4:04.15, PR + 3rd at Iowa

Women’s Mile Open
16. Jalyssa Blazek - 4:55.39, PR

Men’s 3,000 Meters Open
8. Will Ryan - 8:17.49
10. Miles Wilson - 8:18.11
16. Elias Arbuckle - 8:27.59

Ryan Shay Men’s 3,000 Meters Championship
6. Hayden Kuhn - 8:02.98, PR + 6th at Iowa
21. Luke Knepp - 8:13.74

Women’s 3,000 Meters Open
27. Hillary Trainor - 10:06.36

Women’s 3,000 Meters Championship
19. Elena Torres - 9:35.28, PR

Men’s 4x400 Relay
2. Ochonogor, Akhalu, T. Johnson, Johannes - 3:12.01
9. Gorsich Leicht, Levy, Anglo - 3:22.87

Women’s 4x400 Relay
1. Uche, Lewis, Cortez, Lyons - 3:40.13