199
W
hat do University of Iowa track and
field greats Adam Hairston, Kevin
Lewis, and Steven Willey have in com-
mon?
e trio is a small sample of former school record-
holders recruited from the state of Iowa.
When it comes to adding a new crop of student-
athletes to the program, Uni-
versity of Iowa director of track
and field Joey Woody and his
staff are careful not to overlook
the prospects in their own back-
yard.
"It is important to recruit the
best athletes in Iowa to keep
them in state and do our best to
make them Hawkeyes," Woody said. "We have had
a lot of success and a great track record if you look
at the history of our program and what we have
been able to do with the Iowa athletes. We have a
great opportunity right here."
Lewis was a 2015 national qualifier in the 5,000
meters. e Ottumwa, Iowa, native holds two
school records in distance events. Willey, of Ona-
wa, Iowa, was a 2010 Big Ten 400-meters cham-
pion and an All-American in the 1,600-meter
relay, while Hairston (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) was an
NCAA qualifier and former school-record holder
in the 800 meters.
"ey have proven that you can be an Iowa prep
and come to the University of Iowa to become Big
Ten champions and All-Americans," Woody said.
"I'm not sure if we have put that much of a priority
on in-state recruiting in the past, but it has been a
push over the last couple of years to go aer those
types of kids."
e 2015-16 Iowa track and field roster has 36 for-
mer Iowa high school preps, including multi-state
champions Will Teubel (Lisbon, Iowa) and Jalynn
Roberts-Lewis (Des Moines, Iowa).
Roberts attended Illinois State for a season before
returning to Iowa, while Teubel was undecided
about his college future prior to a scholarship offer
from the Hawkeyes.
"A lot of (recruiting in-state
athletes) is making them know
that you care about them and
that you do want them," Woody
said. "Some of the athletes in
state might think we are look-
ing past them to get somebody
from out of state, and that is not
the case at all. We want to at-
tract the best athletes regardless of where they are
from."
During his Iowa tenure, Woody has led the
Hawkeyes to 14 Big Ten individual titles and 44
All-America honors. In 2015, Iowa qualified 28
individuals for the NCAA Championships, earned
11 All-America honors, and crowned four Big Ten
champions.
"We are competing at the highest level of track
and field," Woody said. "We have the toughest and
deepest conference in the country when it comes
to this sport. Recruits have the opportunity to be
in a new facility next year on a team that is go-
ing to compete for a Big Ten championship while
establishing itself as one of top national programs.
"If that is what (future recruits) want to be a part
of, then they do not have to look any further than
their own backyard."
FEBRUARY SCHEDULE
Feb. 5-6 at Meyo Invitational
Feb. 12-13 at Iowa State Classic
Feb. 12-13 at Tyson Classic
Feb. 20 at Alex Wilson Invitational
Feb. 26-27 at Big Ten Championships