EUGENE, Ore. — University of Iowa senior Justin Austin advanced to the national finals for the second time in as many days when he placed eighth in the 200 meters today at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Austin crossed the line in 20.33, placing third in his heat and earning the eighth and final berth in Saturday’s finals.
“I got out of the block pretty slow and didn’t get the start I wanted, but I came around the curve and closed the final 50 or 60 meters better than I have all season,” said Austin, who set a season-best for the second time in as many races.
Austin’s trip to the finals guarantees a first team All-America honor — the first of his NCAA outdoor career. He earned honorable mention honors in 2011, and second team honors in 2012 — both in the 200 meters.
“Now we go out there and have fun,” added Austin, who on Wednesday helped Iowa qualify for the finals of the 400-meter relay. “I came here to make the finals, and now that I’ve made the finals we’re going to have fun and see what happens. I want to start aggressive and continue to finish strong.”
Majesty Tutson finished 22nd in the women’s discus (148-3; 45.18m) and was named an honorable mention All-American. She is the first female thrower to earn All-America honors since Lisa Van Steenwyk threw the shot put for the Hawkeyes in 1992.
Jordan Mullen was named All-America honorable mention following a 19th place finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Mullen ran 14.04 to place sixth in the second heat. The All-America award is the third of his career.
The NCAA Championships resume tomorrow when Iowa’s Gabe Hull competes in the men’s discus at 6 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes have four qualifiers in the finals field on Saturday. Klyvens Delaunay (triple jump) and Matt Byers (javelin) compete in trials/finals at 2:30 p.m. (CT). The men’s 400-meter relay races for a national title at 4:12 p.m. (CT), and Austin chases the gold medal in the 200 meters at 4:50 p.m. (CT).
