Johnson, Nwachukwu Take Home B1G Weekly Honors

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field’s Ryan Johnson and Chioma Nwachukwu earned Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors, the league announced on Wednesday. Johnson was tabbed the Big Ten Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, while Nwachukwu was named the Big Ten Women’s Freshman of the Week. These are the first weekly conference honors for both Johnson and Nwachukwu.

Johnson, a sophomore from Springboro, Ohio, shined in his Hawkeye debut, launching a personal-best 24.00 meters to win the men’s weight throw at the Hawkeye Invitational on Jan. 17. He rose to the top of Iowa’s all-time list in the event. Johnson’s mark leads the nation and has improved his own U20 world record.

Best of the best 🔥

In his Iowa debut, Ryan Johnson sets the school record and takes the national lead!#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/YS64Pi9xAq

— Iowa Track & Field/Cross Country (@IowaXC_TF) January 17, 2025

On the track, Nwachukwu sped to a 53.32 finish in the 400 meters, claiming the Hawkeye Invitational event title and rising to seventh on Iowa’s all-time list. Nwachukwu is the fastest freshman in the event this season and currently ranks seventh nationally in the 400 meters. The Hawkeyes turned to Nwachukwu to run the third leg of the title-winning 4x400-meter relay that crossed the line in 3:47.31.

Updating the all-time list 🤩

Women’s 400 meters
1. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗡𝘄𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸𝘄𝘂 - 53.32, 7th at Iowa, 3rd in D1
2. Alivia Williams - 54.19#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/jLMix6QxTp

— Iowa Track & Field/Cross Country (@IowaXC_TF) January 18, 2025

Iowa hosts the annual Larry Wieczorek Invitational on January 24-25 at the Hawkeye Indoor Track Facility and Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.