Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/808728
15 P eter Jok is a 3-point specialist and he proved it March 30, celebrating his birthday and wearing his University of Iowa jersey one final time by winning the 3-point shooting contest held as part of the festivities at the NCAA Final Four in Phoenix. Jok is first Hawkeye to win the event. Jok, who turned 23-years-old on March 30, fought off the hometown favorite to win the title. Jok registered a score of 20 in the final round, edging DeWayne Russell of Grand Canyon University (15), who was competing in his home arena. In taking the title, Jok defeated a field that included Bryce Alford of UCLA, Arizona State's Torian Graham, Kris Jenkins of Villanova, Duke's Matt Jones, Naz Mitrou-Long of Iowa State, and Michigan's Derrick Walton, Jr. Jok had the highest score of the first round, scoring 21 points to finish ahead of Russell (19), Jones (19), and Walton (18). In the semifinals, Jok posted a score of 22 points to advance to the finals against Russell (22). Walton (15) and Jones (14) failed to advance to the finals. In the finals, Jok shot first and posted his winning score ahead of Russell, while Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff watched from the sidelines. "I went first and was able to put some pressure on him," said Jok, of defeating Russell in the final round. Aer defeating the hometown favorite in the finals, Jok was serenaded with the singing of happy birthday from a capacity crowd during a post- event interview on ESPN. In the final event of the 3-point contest, Jok competed against women's champion Kindred Wesemann of Kansas State, with both shooting a score of 16. Jok was the fih Hawkeye to compete in this event and first since 2007. Iowa's other invitees were Dean Oliver (2001), Luke Recker (2002), Jeff Horner (2006), and Adam Haluska (2007). Jok finished his Hawkeye career fourth in 3-point field goals with 216 made and 15th in career scoring with 1,508 points. He etched his name is the Hawkeye 3-point record book by making 164 triples the last two seasons (2016-17). at ranks second-best over a two-year span in school history. He is the only Hawkeye to make 80 or more 3-pointers in consecutive seasons. "It has been an honor to play for the University of Iowa and to wear this jersey has been a privilege," Jok said. "I wanted to go out there and have fun, but I'm a competitor and I wanted to come here and win this for the state of Iowa. It's going to be sad not to be able to wear this uniform anymore, but I'm ready for the next chapter."