Feb. 6, 2007

IOWA CITY -

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THIS WEEK -- The University of Iowa women's track team will compete in the Cyclone Invitational Friday and Saturday, hosted by the Iowa State at the Lied Recreation Center. The meet will begin Friday with the weight throw and the 60 meter hurdles at 2 p.m. and continue Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

COMPETING TEAMS -- Alabama, Arizona State, Athenian T.C., Bradley, Concordia Wisconsin, Drake, Hamline Univ., Illinois, Illinois Chicago, Indiana State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Lewis Univ., Manitoba, MidAmerica Nazarene, Missouri, Missouri Baptist Univ., Missouri State, Neb-Omaha, North Central College, North Texas, Northern Illinois, Purdue, Rend Lake TC, SD State, Southern Indiana, Southern Methodist, Texas A&M, Tiffin Univ., U. S. Naval Acad., Univ. South Dakota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Miami, Missouri-Kansas City, UTAH, UW-PLatteville, Western Kentucky, Wichita State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

LAST WEEK -- The Hawkeyes won two events at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational in Ames, IA. Junior Kineke Alexander was named the meet's outstanding performer while tying her school record and automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the 400 meters with a time of 52.01. She also helped the Hawkeyes earn third place in the 4X400 with a season-best time (3:45.17). Senior Peaches Roach also took first place in the high jump for the third straight week with a jump of 5-10.
Meghan Armstrong and Diane Nukuri both provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 3,000 meters, placing fifth (9:27.95) and sixth (9:28.41) respectively at the Meyo Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame.

NATIONALLY RANKED -- The University of Iowa team is projected to finish 20th in the nation by trackwire.com. Three Hawkeye athletes are also ranked. No. 2 in the 400 meters is Kineke Alexander, Peaches Roach at No. 8 in the high jump and Diane Nukuri at No. 7 in the 5,000 meters.

HAWKEYE COACHES -- James Grant is in his 11th year at the helm of the women's track and field program. The past four seasons have been outstanding for Grant and the Hawkeyes. Kineke Alexander became Grant's first NCAA champion (400 meters) and only the fourth in school history. In his time at Iowa, the Hawkeyes have crowned 21 Big Ten champions, 60 regional qualifiers, 21 all-region selections, 28 NCAA qualifiers and 10 all-Americans, one NCAA champion (Alexander) and set 22 school records.
Assistant coach Layne Anderson is in his third season at Iowa. He works with the distance runners and is also the head women's cross country coach.
Victor Houston is in his third season with the Hawkeyes. His main area of responsibility include field events and multi-event athletes.

NEXT COMPETITION -- The Hawkeyes will host the Iowa Invitational on Feb. 16.