Iowa State women’s track and field enters small squads into weekend meets
ISU junior Jhoanmy Luque jumps into the pit during the women’s long jump finals during the Big 12 Indoor Championships at the Lied Rec Center on Feb. 26. Luque placed third in the event with a best jump of 6.37 meters.
January 26, 2017
Middle-distance runners Jasmine Staebler and Evelyne Guay will be the only two Iowa State women’s track and field athletes testing their legs in competition this weekend at the PSU National Open in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Staebler, who finished second in the 400-meter dash and first in the 600-meter dash premier at the Larry Wieczorek Invite last weekend, will make her season debut in the 800-meter run on Saturday.
As a freshman, Staebler established herself as one of the best 800-runners in the Big 12 last season, finishing fifth in the event in the indoor and outdoor conference championship meets.
The difference this year is she now has a full year of experience in collegiate track and was able to build up strength and endurance during the fall cross-country season.
“I’m just hoping that some of my strength can carry over from last year,” Staebler said heading into the season. “It’s not like I’m coming in as a freshman anymore. I have a full year of experience under my belt, and I’m hoping that pays off.
Junior Evelyne Guay will join Staebler in the 800-meter race in Iowa City.
Guay got her first taste of indoor track and field action last Saturday, finishing first in the 800-meter run premier.
Junior Jhonmy Luque will be the lone women’s track and field athlete heading back to Iowa City on Saturday for the Black and Gold Premier. This will mark the third straight week that at least someone on the roster competes in a meet at the University of Iowa Recreation Building.
Luque, who qualified for the NCAA Championships during last year’s indoor and outdoor seasons, has her sights set on a return to the big stage.
She placed 15th in the long jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships, earning Second Team All-America honors, and fourth in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, earning First Team All-America honors.
“I’m trying to focus on indoor championships because last year, I didn’t do so well, so this time I really want to perform well at indoor and outdoor national championships,” Luque said. “I’m just excited and practicing hard.”
