Three Hawkeye runners competed in the Meyo Invitational on Feb. 5 in South Bend, Ind.

Sophomore Jeff Thode placed fifth in the Meyo Mile with a time of 4:03.66. That finish was just short of his personal best in the mile, 4:03.07. Thode’s time ranks 17th nationally in the event.

Iowa senior James Paul ran the mile in 4:16.47 and finished 16th.

Notre Dame sophomore Jeremy Rae won the event in 3:59.62, becoming the sixth Division-I runner to finish the mile in under four minutes.

Senior Mark Battista was the third Iowa athlete in action; he competed in the 3,000 meters and crossed the finish line in 8:48.32.

Battista, who was aiming for a time around 8:30, was frustrated with his performance.

He said he felt some discomfort in his left shin following the race.

“I expect more of myself,” he said. “I need to get that training that I missed back and put this race behind me.”

The entire Iowa track and field team will be back in competition this weekend in Ames at the Cyclone Classic.

— by Ben Schuff