University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Drake Relays
Gooris, Nowak Both Finish Fourth in Drake Relays Multi-Events
4/22/2010 8:00:00 AM | Track and Field
April 22, 2010
DES MOINES, Iowa – University of Northern Iowa multi-event athletes Olimpia Nowak and Daniel Gooris each finished in fourth place in their respective multi-events at the 101st Drake Relays Thursday afternoon.
Gooris finished with a career-best 7,229 points in the men's decathlon while Nowak racked up 5,269 points in the women's decathlon. .
“I was really proud of the way the kids competed today,” UNI head coach Dan Steele said. “Both Daniel and Olimpia showed they can compete with nearly anybody in the country. I expect as their training starts to taper towards championship events, we'll begin to see significant improvements.”
“I also want to point out both Daniel and Olimpia set personal bests in the last event of the day, which is a testament of their heart,” Steele added. “To continue to compete in the last event of the day is tough, but they showed a lot of courage and class in their final events.”
On the men's side, Daniel Gooris started the day in 16th place, only to climb through the standings throughout the day Thursday. Gooris began his climb in the standings in the 110-meter hurdles clocking in a time of 15.53 to pick up 787 points. The freshman then heaved 127-08 in the discus, garnering another 643 points.
A pole vault of 16-08 ¾, the best in the field, picked up 941 points for Gooris and helped propel him from 12th place to fifth with just two events remaining.
A season-best toss of 169-03 in the javelin gave Gooris another 612 points. Gooris then put the finishing touches on his career day with a personal-best 1500 meter time of 4:28.86, the second-fastest time in the field, to pick up 752 points and secure fourth place. His mark currently puts him atop the Valley standings and in the top 25 in the nation.
Minnesota's R.J. McGinnis took the crown, scoring 7,319 points.
On the women's side, after coming into the day in fourth place, Nowak held her ground, scoring 741 points with a leap of 18-06 in the long jump, the third-best leap in the field. Nowak then scored 506 points with a javelin heave of 103-07.
The Rawicz, Poland native concluded the seven-event competition with a career-best 800 meter run, clocking in at 2:18.38, the second-best time in the field.
Reigning U.S. national champion Diana Pickler won the event, finishing with 6,040 points.
The Panthers will continue action at the 101st Drake Relays Friday morning at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
Players Mentioned
