March 15, 2003

GREENCASTLE, IND. . . . Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) student-athletes were crowned National Champions in three events and 24 IIAC student-athletes earned All-America honors at the 2003 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at DePauw University.

On the first day of the Championships (Friday), the Wartburg College women’s distance medley relay team set a Championship record winning in a time of 11:41.66. Members of the relay team include Missy Buttry, Jannae Holubar, Deanna Olson and Abby Tiernan. On Saturday, Buttry defended her title in the 1500-meters, setting a Championship record in 4:24.95. Just a sophomore, Buttry has won five National Championships. In addition to her two titles at the 2003 Indoor Championships, she won the 2002 Indoor 1500-meters, the 2002 Outdoor 1500-meters and the 2002 Cross Country title.

The third IIAC National Champion was the University of Dubuque’s Basil Steele, who won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.50 seconds. Wartburg’s men’s 4x400 relay team missed out on the Conference’s fourth National title by just over three seconds. The team of Steve Bubb, Brent Showalter, Alex Six and Andy Six finished in second place in 3:16.91.

The remaining IIAC All-Americans came from three fourth place finishes, a sixth place finish and four eighth place finishes. Loras College’s Rachel Hutchins (55-meter hurdles) and Marcus Murphy (5000-meters), and Dubuque’s DeAndre Bovan (triple jump) all finished fourth in their respective events. Wartburg’s Josh Moen finished sixth in the 5000-meters.

Central’s men’s 4x400 relay team, Loras’ Clint Michels (high jump), Wartburg’s Megan Pagel (weight throw) and women’s 4x400 relay team all finished eighth in their respective events. Members of Wartburg’s 4x400 team were Holly Dorenkamp, Nicole Dougherty, Kelli Marlow and Sarah Tompkins. Members of Central’s 4x400 team were DJ Cobler, Matt McCombs, Peter Wagner and Tanner Whipple.

On the team side, Wartburg’s women finished sixth (22.0 points) and Loras’ women finished tied for 31st (5.0). Wheaton (Mass.) College won its fifth straight Women’s Indoor Championship with 54 points. On the men’s side, Dubuque finished tied for seventh (15.0) followed by Wartburg, which tied for 14th (11.0). Loras (T-33rd, 6.0) and Central (T-55th, 1.0) also placed in the team standings. University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse won its third straight Men’s Indoor Championship with 71 points.

The complete list of Iowa Conference performances at the Indoor Track and Field National Championships, which included 33 participants in 23 events, can be found here for the men and here for the women.

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