Stein Shatters Records at Big Ten Championships

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Iowa track and field program opened competition at the Big Ten Championships on Friday at U-M Track and Field Stadium. Sophomore Mike Stein headlined the Hawkeyes with a championship and school record in the men’s javelin. 

Stein threw 81.19 meters (266’ 4”), good for the second-ranked throw in NCAA Division I this season and a meet record at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. That mark qualifies the Milford, Iowa, native for the U.S. Olympic Trials. 

“It is unreal,” said Stein. “I didn’t even watch the flight of the javelin, so I think I made a mistake there, but then I saw it land.”

The throw came on Stein’s sixth and final attempt to take the lead from Nebraska’s Dash Sirmon. The Cornhusker finished with an 80.86-meter (265’ 3”) mark that ranks third in Division I, but it proved insufficient to keep Stein from the gold. 

“It was a battle,” said Stein. “I didn’t have the numbers or the energy that I wanted in the early rounds, and I honestly felt light headed. I had a peanut butter sandwich, battled back, and just relaxed. It’s like Bruce Lee said: be water, my friend.”

Throws coach Ray Robinson was impressed by Stein’s resilience.

“A lot of people resign themselves that it’s not their day,” said Robinson. “That’s where the optimism comes in. Mike has a certain delusional optimism, which I think is contagious and allows him to do some of the things that he has done. He has an unwavering obsession with throwing the javelin and how good he can be. I am very blessed to get to work with him.”

Stein says he trusted his training with Robinson and the mindset that brought him this far. 

“I had to trust my training through the offseason,” said Stein. “I just relaxed, trusted my training and trusted what I have done all year. I came through, but I give all glory to God.” 

Robinson is proud of Stein.

“My middle child was crying tears of joy at Mike’s performance,” said Robinson. “It kind of shows how invested we all are. It is a great day. It is an athlete-led model between us; we work together. It is a ton of fun. I have never coached anyone quite like him.”

Iowa threw down in multiple events on Friday. Redshirt freshman Austin Busch posted a fourth-place finish in the men’s hammer throw on a personal best of 66.70 meters (218’ 10”). That lifetime mark ranks fourth all-time at Iowa.

Sophomore Sean Smith placed sixth in the event, firing 65.31 meters (214’ 3”). 

In the women’s hammer throw, senior Alivia Bauer posted a 57.53-meter (188’ 9”) personal record to improve upon her 10th all-time standing at Iowa. Bauer finished 11th in the event, with senior Jamie Kofron close behind in 13th on personal-best 56.52 meters (185’ 5”). 

Redshirt sophomore Lizzy Korczak launched 47.45 meters (155’ 8”) to take seventh in the women’s javelin.

Junior Lia Love ran 23.36 to win her heat and qualify automatically in the women’s 200-meter prelims. Seniors Mariel Bruxvoort (57.96) and Paige Magee (58.03) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the prelims to qualify in the women’s 400 hurdles. 

Sophomore Isaac Lewis raced 52.24 to qualify to the finals of the men’s 400 hurdles with a ninth-place finish.

Sophomore Sal Capaldo is positioned in fifth overnight in the men’s decathlon with 3,818 points. The Polk City, Iowa, native sits 188 points back from first place. 

Capaldo took third in three decathlon events, including the 100 meters (10.75), the long jump (6.97 meters) and the high jump (1.92 meters). Freshman Annie Wirth won the women’s heptathlon high jump with a 1.69-meter (5’ 6.5”) effort. Wirth is 11th in the heptathlon standings with 2,807 points.

HEAR FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK AND FIELD JOEY WOODY
“The throwers crushed it today, especially in the men’s hammer. Those guys came through big. Austin Busch had a huge PR. That was a phenomenal performance for him in his first outdoor championship. Sean Smith might be a little disappointed, but we know he is right on the cusp of some big things. It is coming together at the right time. Today he had to battle through some adversity, and he was still able to get a good mark to make the finals for his team. 

“In the women’s hammer, Alivia and Jamie had some big PRs. I believe Alivia is on the verge of some big marks, and this is Jamie’s last year, so for her to be able to put up her best marks at the end of her career is really special.

“Mike Stein is obviously one of the best competitors for our program. He showed not only what his ability is, but what kind of competitor he is, being able to do that on his last throw. Really proud of him. The first thing he said to me was, ‘thanks for giving me the opportunity, coach.’ He is a really phenomenal person and we are really proud to have that guy in our program.

“I was excited for Isaac making the finals in the hurdles. Sal Capaldo had a good first day in the decathlon to set himself up for day two. Our women’s 400 hurdles had a great day. I thought Paige and Mariel executed their races really well, and then Lia had that phenomenal race in that 200. She set it up perfect in the first half of the race, and then she just ran away from everybody. I always say that if you don’t see anybody right next to you, that is a good sign.

“A little disappointed for Holly Duax. This is her third time being the first person out from making a final. I am excited for her tomorrow in that 100.”

UP NEXT
Iowa competes at the second day of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships tomorrow at the U-M Track and Field Stadium.

HAWKEYE RESULTS

Women’s 200 Meters Trials
4. Lia Love – 23.36 Q
10. Holly Duax – 23.89
17. Julia Pattison – 24.28
24. Brynley McDermott – 24.70

Men’s 200 Meters Trials
10. Damoy Allen – 20.96
21. Miles Granjean -21.54

Women’s 400-meter Hurdles Trials
3. Mariel Bruxvoort – 57.96 q
4. Paige Magee – 58.03 q
15. Ali Frandsen – 1:02.08

Men’s 400-meter Hurdles Trials
9. Isaac Lewis – 52.24 q
14. Austin West – 53.69

Women’s 1,500 Meters Trials
11. Amber Aesoph – 4:35.49

Men’s 10,000 Meters
11. Will Ryan – 29:59.36, PR
15. Brayden Burnett – 30:11.55

Women’s Hammer Throw Finals
11. Alivia Bauer – 57.53 meters (188’ 9”), PR + 10th at Iowa
13. Jamie Kofron – 56.52 meters (185’ 5”), PR

Men’s Hammer Throw Finals
4. Austin Busch – 66.70 meters (218’ 10”), PR + 4th at Iowa
6. Sean Smith – 65.31 meters (214’ 3”)

Women’s Javelin Finals
7. Lizzy Korczak – 47.45 meters (155’ 8”)

Men’s Javelin
1. Mike Stein – 81.19 meters (266’ 4”), Meet Record, Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard, PR + 1st at Iowa
13. Drake Woody – 53.94 meters (173’ 8”)

Decathlon
5. Sal Capaldo – 3818 points (-188)
3. 100 Meters – 10.75 | 917 points
3. Long Jump – 6.97 meters (22’ 10.5”) | 1724 points (-87)
10. Shot Put – 11.27 meters (36’ 11.75”) | 2286 points (-137)
3. High Jump – 1.92 meters (6’ 3.75”)
7. 400 Meters – 50.29

Heptathlon
11. Annie Wirth – 2807 points (-491)
13. 100-meter hurdles – 17.26
1. High Jump – 1.69 meters (5’ 6.5”)
8. Shot Put – 11.42 meters (37’ 5.75”) , PR
9. 200 Meters – 26.26