For the first time in a while, the Hawkeyes don’t have to pack up their running cleats and hit the road this weekend.
However, they will still be in competition at the Musco Twilight meet, the only home outdoor track and field competition Iowa has this year.
As the Hawkeye progress in the Big Ten standings week by week, Director of Track and Field Joey Woody is eager for the home crowd to see the team’s improvement and recent success.
“This women’s team is ranked high right now in a lot of different events, and I want to show people that we are making a big push to be one of the best programs in the conference and, hopefully, the country by the end of the season,” he said. “We got some great stars and a lot of talent on our team, and we just want to showcase that.”
Drake, Iowa Central, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa will compete against Iowa. Although this is isn’t the toughest competition the Hawkeyes have faced this season, Woody still believes Hawkeye fans will have plenty to cheer about.
“It will be good competition,” he said. “Iowa Central always has good athletes, and Northern Iowa will have a good team, and Iowa State has some good athletes as well.”
Not only will the Saturday event contain exciting rivalries, but it’s a chance for the Hawkeyes to compete where they’re comfortable.
“It’s just fun to be at home, and it’s good for our athletes to be on our track and not have to travel,” Woody said.
Although each team will present a challenge, Iowa will be the favorites to come out on top in most of the events.
Last year, Hawk junior Brittany Brown won the 100 meters, and senior Lake Kwaza claimed the 200 meters.
The sprint squad has been one of the highlights this season, and the relay teams have dominated, too.
In the 400-meter relay, the tandem of Kwaza, junior Elexis Guster, freshman Briana Guillory, and junior Alexis Hernandez claimed the first school record of the season at the March 19 Baldy Castillo Invitational.
Records continued to fall as Guster, Guillory, senior MonTayla Holder, and Hernandez most recently broke the women’s 1,600-meter relay school record at the April 16 Texas Invitational, clocking a winning time of 3:32.63.
Saturday’s meet will also be a chance to honor Holder and graduate student Khanishah Williams in their last home event of their Hawkeye careers.