Johnson, Mutunga Take Home B1G Honors

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field’s Ryan Johnson and Damaris Mutunga earned Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors, the league announced on Wednesday. Johnson was named the Big Ten Men’s Field Athlete of the Week and Mutunga claimed the Big Ten Women’s Freshman of the Week honor.

This marks the second Big Ten award of the season for both athletes. It is Mutunga’s second freshman of the week recognition, as she joins Pauline Bikembo and Chioma Nwachukwu in receiving league honors. Johnson also claimed the field athlete of the week for the second time, joining teammates Sean Smith and Abraham Vogelsang. In total, the Hawkeyes have received conference recognition seven times in 2024-25.

Johnson shattered his previous program record at the Robinson Family Open in Tiffin, Ohio, with a 24.59-meter throw. His mark is the third-farthest in NCAA Division I this season and ranks fourth in NCAA Division I history. Johnson’s mark ranks fifth among all-time NCAA competitors in the men’s weight throw. His most recent throw broke Iowa’s school record for the third time this season. The sophomore from Springboro, Ohio, currently leads the Big Ten by over two meters.

Mutunga delivered a dominant performance in the 400 meters at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, setting a personal-best time of 52.14 seconds. The freshman from Machakos, Kenya, finished third amongst collegiate competitors. The time ranks sixth all-time at Iowa. Mutunga is currently the top-ranked freshman in the nation for the event. Additionally, Mutunga ran the anchor leg of the women’s 4x400-meter relay that finished in 3:31.62 at Tyson.

The Hawkeyes return to action this Friday, hosting the Iowa Open at the Hawkeye Indoor Track Facility and the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Competition begins at 11 a.m. (CT).