Hawkeyes Close Weekend in California, Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Iowa track and field team wrapped up competition at the Florida Relays and Mike Fanelli Track Classic on Saturday afternoon. 

In Gainesville, senior Gabby Cortez improved her standing on Iowa’s all-time list, running a lifetime-best 2:03.82 to move into third all-time in the 800 meters. Junior Leanna Lewis followed closely behind, clocking a personal-best 2:04.13 to rank fourth in program history.

"The women's 800 group had a terrific day," Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. "Gabby led the way with a PR and broke 2:04 for the first time in her career. Leanna took more time off of her PR from two weeks ago. Both are on track to run 2:01 and 2:02 over the next two weeks."

In the women’s 4x400-meter relay, the quartet of Olicia Lucas, Damaris Mutunga, Lewis, and Chioma Nwachukwu placed fourth with a time of 3:30.88, ranking second in program history. For the men, Tyrese Miller, Zidane Brown, Prior Ochonogor, and Landon Fontenot also finished fourth in 3:05.08.

"The 4x4's ran very well today, but we also know there is a lot more work for us to do over the next couple of weeks," said Woody.

Senior Vaughn DeVaughn III and junior Blake Nyenati qualified for the men’s 110-meter hurdles final, with DeVaughn winning his heat and Nyenati posting one of the top times. DeVaughn recorded a personal best in the final to place fifth in 13.79, while Nyenati crossed the line in 13.90 to finish seventh.

"We had a very good weekend overall with a ton of PRs and top-10 all-time marks," Woody noted. "I was very pleased with how Vaughn and Blake competed this weekend in the 110 hurdles. Both qualified to the finals and Vaughn had a lifetime best. It was Blake's season opener so I know he will build on that and be in the 13.6-13.7 range very soon."

Senior Tyrese Miller clocked a personal-best 45.89 in the men’s 400 meters, ranking ninth in program history. On the women’s side, Damaris Mutunga led the Hawkeyes, clocking a 52.89. Olicia Lucas recorded a personal best of 53.48.

"Tyrese had a terrific race in the 400, running a very smooth first 200 and finishing strong to break 45 seconds for the first time in his career," Woody added.

In the men’s 100 meters, freshman Jordan Gross secured a lifetime best of 10.35 to finish tenth. "Jordan had a great race today and ran well into a slight headwind," Woody said of the freshman sprinter. "I think he will be on pace to run 10.1 or 10.2 in the next few weeks."

At the Mike Fanelli Track Classic, senior Brayden Burnett (29:56.24) and sophomore Hillary Trainor (35:58.02) led the Hawkeyes in the men’s and women’s 10,000 meters, each earning fourth-place finishes. Junior Audra Soderlind crossed the line in 36:19.75, while senior Rowan Boulter followed closely in 36:22.95. The pair finished sixth and seventh, respectively. For the men, junior Miles Wilson recorded a personal-best time of 30:19.81. At the Stanford Invite, Miriam Sandeen ran a 35:03.08 in the 10,000 meters to update her personal best.

"In California, I was pleased to see Miriam run a PR in the 10k at Stanford," Woody said. "She's had to overcome some injuries this year and didn't get much racing in during the indoor season. It was great to see the fight and determination to keep working. She raced great. Brayden got back under 30 minutes today and set himself up to compete to run 29 mid/low by the end of the season."

Up Next: The Hawkeyes return to Iowa to compete at the Jim Duncan Invitational in Des Moines. Competition begins Apr. 10 at 12:30 p.m. (CT).

HAWKEYE RESULTS 
Florida Relays
Men’s 100 Meters
10. Jordan Gross - 10.35, PR

Women’s 100 Meters
25. Holly Duax - 11.60
43. Alexandria Edison - 11.80

Women’s 100-Meter Hurdles Prelims
34. Isabel Evans - 14.21, PR

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Prelims
6. Blake Nyenati - 13.96, q
7. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 13.97, Q
29. Tyler Kenaga - 14.87

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Finals
5. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 13.79, PR
7. Blake Nyenati - 13.90 

Men’s 400 Meters
7. Tyrese Miller - 45.89, PR + 9th at Iowa
24. Zidane Brown - 46.82
28. Landon Fontenot - 46.92
37. Austin Rowswell - 47.45

Women’s 400 Meters
16. Damaris Mutunga - 52.89
22. Olicia Lucas - 53.48, PR

Men’s 800 Meters
31. Terrick Johnson - 1:49.52
37. Ryan Schreiner - 1:50.06
62. Derek Leicht - 1:57.41

Women’s 800 Meters
10. Gabby Cortez - 2:03.82, PR + 3rd at Iowa
12. Leanna Lewis - 2:04.13, PR + 4th at Iowa
22. Rosemary Arthur - 2:06.40
49. Caila Lyons - 2:11.45

Men’s 4x400 Relay
4. Tyrese Miller, Zidane Brown, Prior Ochonogor, Landon Fontenot - 3:05.08

Women’s 4x400 Relay
4. Olicia Lucas, Damaris Mutunga, Leanna Lewis, Chioma Nwachukwu - 3:30.88, 2nd at Iowa

Mike Fanelli Track Classic
Men’s 800 Meters 
32. Spencer Alf - 1:52.97
46. Carson Houg - 1:53.56, PR
47. Owen Wolfe - 1:53.59

Women’s 800 Meters 
12. Clare Kelly - 2:09.15
56. Jalyssa Blazek - 2:14.41

Men’s 10,000 Meters 
4. Brayden Burnett - 29:56.24
15. Miles Wilson - 30:19.81, PR
20. Elias Arbuckle - 30:49.78
24. Kyle Montgomery - 31:34.46

Women’s 10,000 Meters
4. Hillary Trainor - 35:58.02
6. Audra Soderlind - 36:19.75
7. Rowan Boulter - 36:22.95

Stanford Invite
Women’s 10,000 Meters
26. Miriam Sandeen - 35:03.08, PR