Relays Highlight Strong Showing at Drake Relays

DES MOINES - Iowa Western Track & Field turned in several strong performances this weekend at the Kip Janvrin Open and Drake Relays highlighted by multiple podium finishes and standout efforts on the track.

At the Kip Janvrin meet, Sophomore Elizabeth Ewusie led the way with a dominant showing in the women's 5,000 meters, capturing first place in a time of 16:59.84. Her win was the team's top finish of the day and moved her to 2nd in the nation. 

In the middle distances, freshman Antonella Lanuza continued her impressive season by taking second place in the women's 800 meters, crossing the line in 2:11.18. On the men's side, freshman Moustafa Tiea earned a third-place finish in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:52.21, showing poise in a competitive field.

Field events also provided bright spots, as freshman August Anderson finished second in the men's high jump, clearing 1.95 meters (6‑4.75) to equal his personal best. 

Rounding out the top five performances was freshman Miguel Angel Lopez Carranza, who placed fourth in the men's 1,500 meters with a strong time of 3:48.62.

At Drake Relays 2 school records were broken and 1 relay was crowned a champion.  The Men's DMR of Mohamed Boutaguia, Ali Benzem, Moustafa Tiea, Pierre Carlier ran 9:57.18 to outlast Region 11 foe Iowa Central. In the Women's race the trans flip flopped as Iowa Central narrowly defeated Iowa Western as IWCC ran 11:50.83 to break the school record and run faster then the previous NJCAA record. 

Ali Benzem finished 3rd place in the 800m in 1:49.20. Arthur Leandro de Sousa tossed the shot out 17.38m to finish 3rd place.

Gabriel Ortiz finished 5th place in the Championship division of the javelin in 62.37m. 

2026 triple jump National champion Lebon Attoungbre opened up his season to a 4th place in the Championship division with a 14.92m. 

Taj Wilson had a strong 4th place showing in the triple jump College division with a season best 14.30m.  

Mary Laha lowered her personal best to 13.61 in the 100 hurdles to finish 5th place and 3rd best in the nation. 

Yman Ossie Tchiengue placed 5th in the Championship division of high jump with a. clearance of 1.80m to improve her national lead. 

Taeja Bartee jumped 5.49m in the Championship division of long jump for a solid showing. 

The women's 4x4 of Grace Nwaeme, Mary Laha, Shantay Augustine, Maya Bergstrom Weekes finished 5th place in a season best 3:44.47. They moved to the 4th best mark in the country this season. 

The men's 4x4 of Jordan Edwards, Joshua Perry, Keone John, Cyril Sumner broke the school record finishing 2nd place in 3:07.67. They move to the 3rd best mark in the country this season. 

Next up the Reivers turn to championship season as they host the Region 11 Championship May 1-3 in Council Bluffs.