Saunders commits to Iowa

IOWA CITY — Tia Saunders considers the 800-meter race a 'mix of speed and endurance.

'I'm getting the endurance from cross country. Now, I need some more speed.'

A senior from Iowa City West, Saunders thinks she'll get that at the University of Iowa. And that's why she orally committed to the Hawkeyes' track and field program Wednesday night.

Saunders was a member of West's distance medley relay that earned a second-place finish at state in May, She also ran on the fifth-place 3,200-meter relay and ran sixth in the open 800.

She is the second Corridor middle-distance girl to commit to the Hawkeyes this month. Amber Decker of Linn-Mar also has done so.

'The coaches understand what I need to get better times in the 800,' Saunders said Thursday morning. 'They have personal plans for success for each of their athletes.

'I run the 800 in 2:17 now. Hopefully I can run 2:10 in the future.'

Saunders, who also considered UNI for both track and soccer, ran fourth at the Class 4A regional cross country meet last week at Seminole Valley Park, helping West to a runner-up finish. She will conclude her cross country career Saturday at the state meet in Fort Dodge, and hopes to finish in the top 15.

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