IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa student-athletes Kaleb Johnson (football) and Elena Torres (women’s cross country) were named September’s Student-Athletes of the Month, the Iowa Student-Athlete Advisory Committee announced.
Johnson, a junior from Hamilton, Ohio, has played a key role in leading Iowa to a 3-1 start this season, leading the country in yards rushing (685) and yards rushing after contact (44) through four games. He was honored as the Doak Walker Trophy National Running Back of the Week and Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after Iowa’s conference opening win at Minnesota. Johnson recorded career highs in rushing yards (206) and touchdowns (3) against the Gophers, marking his fourth-straight 100+ yard game – the first Hawkeye in 12 years to achieve the feat. Additionally, he is the first Hawkeye since Tavian Banks in 1997 to rush for multiple touchdowns in the first four games of the season. Johnson is one of only three Big Ten players since 2000 with 680+ rush yards and 9+ rushing touchdowns through the first four games.
Torres, a Loveland, Colorado native, was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on September 18th. She was Iowa’s top finisher at the Gans Creek Classic, setting a personal record of 21:07.4 and placing 51st overall. At the Big Ten Preview on September 13, she recorded a time of 21:23.1 in her 6K debut.