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Austin West Off to Strong Start at USATF Outdoor Championships

Sports

July 7th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

EUGENE, Ore. – A mix of former and current University of Iowa track and field student-athletes kicked off day one of the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Thursday.

Junior decathlete Austin West picked up where he left off from the NCAA Championships last month, setting personal bests in four of the five events to start his decathlon. West sped out of the blocks in the 100-meter, earning first place with his new best of 10.52. Following a fourth-place long jump of 7.35 meters (24’ 1.50”), West turned in another best during his second attempt in the shot put, throwing 14.31 meters (46’ 11.50”). After failing on his first two attempts at 1.99 meters, West clutched up and cleared the bar to stay alive in the high jump competition. Ultimately, the Hawkeye would finish seventh with a new personal record of 2.02 meters (6’ 7.50”). He capped his night with another career best, this time winning the 400-meter race in 46.31. Through five events, West has totaled 4,430 points and sits in second place, just 35 points off the lead.

Current Hawkeye Austin Kresley began his weekend in the 100-meter dash. Kresley competed against several familiar faces from the NCAA and finished in 10.26, good for 21st overall. He returns to action on Saturday night with the preliminary round of the men’s 200-meter dash.

Former Hawkeyes Brittany Brown and Reno Tuufuli represented the Hawkeyes well on day one. Brown cruised to a second-place finish in the women’s 100-meter race, qualifying for the semifinals on Friday afternoon. She will also compete in the women’s 200-meter dash on Saturday. Brown holds the school record in the event. Tuufuli, another Hawkeye alum and second all-time discus thrower, took sixth place in the men’s discus with a 61.72 meter (202’ 6”) toss.

Competition resumes on Friday with the decathlon 110-meter hurdles at 1:45 p.m (CT). U20 action also begins on Friday with the women’s 100-meter hurdles at 5 p.m.

HAWKEYE RESULTS

Men’s Decathlon

  1. Austin West (4,430 points)

  1. 100-meters – 10.52, PR
  2. Long Jump – 7.35 meters (24’ 1.5”)
  3. Shot Put – 14.31 meters (46’ 11.5”), PR
  4. High Jump – 2.02 meters (6’ 7.5”), PR
  5. 400-meters – 46.31, PR

Men’s 100-meters

  1. Austin Kresley – 10.26

HAWKEYE ALUMNI

Women’s 100-meters

  1. Brittany Brown – 10.96, tied personal best, SF qualifier

Men’s Discus

  1. Reno Tuufuli – 61.72 meters (202’ 6”)