University of Iowa track and field athlete arrested

IOWA CITY - A jumper on the University of Iowa track and field team was arrested for public intoxication and fighting with police Friday night.

According to Iowa City Police Department criminal complaints, shortly before midnight Friday, police saw 23-year-old Babatunde A. Amosu being thrown out of The Summit, 10 S. Clinton St., by staff. Amosu is a senior on the UI track and field team and competes in the triple jump event.

Police said they tried to make contact with Amosu, but he refused to stop for officers. When they caught up to him, Amosu allegedly pushed an officer and continued to struggle with officers when they tried to take him into custody. Police had to use pepper spray to subdue Amosu, according to the criminal complaint.

Amosu smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes, police said. A preliminary breath test showed he had a blood alcohol content of .175 percent. He was arrested for public intoxication and interference with official acts, both simple misdemeanors.

According to his profile on the UI track and field website, Amosu was the Big Ten Champion at triple jump in 2014, hitting a mark of 15.74 feet. That distance ranks fourth all-time at the UI. Amosu was also named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week earlier this year.