IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Iowa track and field team capped off the 19th annual Musco Twilight meet with 14 event champions on Thursday afternoon.
The Hawkeyes took to Francis X. Cretzmeyer track two days earlier than expected due to an unseasonal forecast for Saturday, but it didn’t stop the team from dominating the meet.
QUOTING COACH WOODY
“We haven’t really been outside to train yet, so to be able to come out and have one day that will be nice, we knew we needed to take advantage of that. I started to look at the forecast as early as LSU last week and we started talking to the administration and other coaches to see if (moving the meet) was feasible. A lot of other teams in the Midwest haven’t had the chance to get to some good meets. Fortunately, for us we have been able to get to good weather meets and put up good performances, but I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. There is no other better training than competition.”
“Our women’s 400 meter hurdles did great. Sarah Plock and Sommer Sharpe both had big PRs in the event. That is an event where we haven’t been outside enough to train in, so they really put some good things together. Kyara Avant had a good win in the 100 meters and 200 meters. That was good to see her competing at a high level.”
“I thought Antonio Woodard had a really good 100 meter race. That is a big step forward for him and will be event that will help him be a better 200 meter runner. The 400-meter hurdles were really good for Noah Larrison. He is getting consistent, but Chris Douglas is really doing some great things. He had a good 110-meter hurdle race and a good 200 meter race.”
HAWKEYE SPRINTS
Freshman Kyara Avant took home two event titles in the 100 meters and 200 meters with times of 11.88 and 24.02, respectively, which were personal bests.
Sophomore Antonio Woodard set a big personal best in the 100 meters with a time of 10.50. He finished third overall in the event.
In the men’s 200 meters, sophomore Collin Hofacker clocked a new season best, finishing second overall with a time of 21.01 seconds.
JUMPING FOR JOY
The Hawkeyes took home titles in the men’s and women’s long jump and the women’s triple jump event titles.
Sophomore Jenny Kimbro (19-feet 3.25-inches) won the women’s long jump, while senior O’Shea Wilson’s 24-feet 7.25-inch seasons best jump won the men’s version.
Junior Tria Simmons won the triple jump with a final mark of 39-feet 10.75-inches.
HAWKEYE THROWING OBJECTS
Iowa swept the discus events with winning throws from sophomore Laulauga Tausaga (186-feet) and Reno Tuufuli (190-feet, 7-inches). Tausaga won her third-straight discus event of the season.
In the women’s hammer throw, senior Leah Colbert finished second overall, but set a new personal best in the event with a mark of 189-feet 3-inches. She still remains fifth in school history.
Freshman Marissa Mueller won the javelin throw with a new career-high throw of 151 feet.
HAWKEYE HURDLERS
Senior Sommer Sharpe, junior Sarah Plock, and freshman Addie Swanson finished the 400 meter hurdles 1-2-3, while also setting personal bests in the event.
Sharpe’s 59.20 moves her into sole possession of fifth in school history. Plock ran her first race under 60 seconds, running 59.49 for sixth in program history and Swanson clocked in at 1:02.23.
Former Hawkeye Aaron Mallett won the 110-meter hurdles, while junior Chris Douglas finished second with a time of 14.05.
In the women’s 100-meter hurdles, sophomore Jenny Kimbro won the women’s event in 13.77 seconds.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes head to California for the Mt. SAC Relays, Azusa Pacific Invite, and the Long Beach Invitational.