Propelled by its fourth and fifth school records in the last two weeks, Minnesota’s women’s track and field team continued its recent roll in Iowa City, Iowa, over the weekend, winning the Iowa Musco Twilight meet Saturday.

Freshman Kou Luogon clocked a time of 54.45 seconds in the 400-meter dash, finishing third and breaking Jane Oas’ 27-year-old school record of 54.54.

Junior Alean Frawley also won the shot put with a school-record throw of 53-3.

“I’m real pleased with the way we’re coming around this time of year,” coach Gary Wilson said. “The kids are starting to peak, and with the focus and enthusiasm we’ve had, great things can happen.”

On Saturday, the Gophers also received a win from Shani Marks in the 400-meter hurdles. Minnesota took three of the top five spots in the event.

Luogon’s and Frawley’s record-breaking performances join the school records set by the 4×400-meter relay team, Monica Stearns in the pole vault and Marks in the triple jump at last weekend’s Drake Relays.

Men’s track and field

A one-two finish in the 1500-meter run highlighted Minnesota’s men’s track and field team’s second-place performance at the Iowa Musco Twilight meet Saturday.

Juniors Neil Hanson and Martin Robeck claimed the top two spots in the event and the best two times the Gophers have posted in the race this season.

Hanson ran a personal best and NCAA regional qualifying time of 3:47.09, and Robeck followed closely with a regional qualifier of 3:47.88.

Sophomore Karl Erickson took two event titles, winning the shot put and discus.

Kevin Netzer won the high jump, and Lynden Reder took second in the hammer throw.

“We had some personal bests, but mostly it was just an opportunity to run against some good competition,” coach Phil Lundin said. “We realized we still have a lot of work to do before the Big Ten meet.”

Although most teams, including the Gophers, didn’t bring a full lineup, Minnesota saw athletes from IIlinois, Iowa and Wisconsin – three teams it will face at the Big Ten championships in two weeks.

Ben Goessling covers track and field and welcomes comments at [email protected]