UNI’s track and field team was in full force this weekend as they competed in the Iowa Open. However, they weren’t the only team representing the purple and gold on the track this weekend. Isaiah Trousil represented UNI at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., where he competed in the 60-meter dash. 

The Iowa Open started with fireworks right out the gate for the Panthers. Carter Morton got first place in the high jump with a height of 6 feet, 9.5 inches. His teammates Brody Lovell and Caden Ungs were right behind him in third and fourth place, respectively. The long jump was also won by UNI as Jack Sumners jumped a length of 24 feet, 1.5 inches, making it his career-best. Drew Bartels followed him in third place with a jump of 22 feet, 4.5 inches.  

Emily Vos placed first in the 200-meter dash setting both a personal record and meet record with a time of 24.63 seconds. The 800-meter race was won by Drake Hanson with a new career best and meet best of 1:49.88. Jayden Dickson and David Holesinger II placed second and fourth place, respectively.

While those were the only athletes who placed at the top of the podium on Friday, there were a lot of Panthers who were at least on the podium. Katy Stephens placed second in the long jump at 17 feet, 8 inches and Rylie Todd finished in second place in the high jump with a jump of five feet, five inches. Todd’s teammates Layanna Green and Katy Stephens were right behind her in third and fourth place, respectively. Isabelle Holtzen was the runner-up in the pole vault with a height of 11 feet, 9.75 inches. Brendan Safley got second place in the men’s pole vault with 15 feet, 1 inch, competing unattached. Deonte Dean was the second place runner in the 200-meter dash for the men with a time of 21.99 seconds. Anna Winterrowd was the runner-up in the women’s 400-meter dash with a time of 58.89 seconds.

On Saturday, the attention turned to Albuquerque where Isaiah Trousil would compete in the USATF Indoor Championships in the 60-meter dash, representing UNI. Trousil increasingly got better throughout the day, shaving milliseconds off of his time in the opening heats. When it came to the finals, Trousil placed third by running a career best time of 6.61 seconds. This time gives Trousil the second fastest 60-meter dash in UNI history.

The Panthers will travel to Chicago for postseason action as they look to compete in the MVC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 26 and 27.