Hawkeyes Crown 2 All-Americans on Day 1 of NCAA Championships

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The University of Iowa track and field team concluded day one of the NCAA Championships with two top-four finishes and a new school record Friday afternoon.

“Today was a terrific day for our Hawkeye track and field program,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “This is the toughest NCAA championship to qualify for with only about two percent of athletes actually making this meet. So to not only make the meet but also finish top 8 to score points and become first team All-American is an exceptional accomplishment especially for a freshman (Pauline) and sophomore (Ryan) in their first season at Iowa.”

“Pauline got us started with a terrific performance in the pentathlon. She got things going in the high jump with a near personal-best jump and kept the momentum going. I was extremely proud of how well she competed in the 800 knowing she had to beat multiple athletes by 5+ seconds to move up to fourth and she ran a huge personal-best in the final event to earn first-team All-American.” 

“Ryan had a fantastic day today in his first NCAA championship in the weight throw. After starting off with a foul in the first round, he maintained his composure and put in a good second round and then he unleashed a terrific third round throw that put him into second place going into the finals. He finished just 1 cm behind second place to finish third and earn first-team All-American.” 

“Abraham started to get some momentum going with some great performances in the long jump and shot put. He finished the day with a good high jump mark to keep him in the hunt. He’s a very good second day Heptathlete with the final three events so we are excited to see him compete and move up the ladder to get into the top eight scoring position.”

Sophomore Ryan Johnson claimed the bronze with a 24.48-meter toss in his NCAA championship weight throw debut. The Springboro, Ohio, native closed out his incredible season with the Hawkeyes as a first-team All-American. 

Freshman Pauline Bikembo finished fourth in the pentathlon, setting a new school record with 4,331 points. Bikembo surpassed her previous record set at the Big Ten Championship to secure the honor for the Hawkeyes. The freshman from Saint Lue La Foret, France, had an excellent day, finishing first in the long jump with a 6.23-meter mark and claiming the silver in the high jump at 1.75 meters. Bikembo finished out the competition with a personal best in the 800 meters with a 2:17.46 finish. 

After day one of the men’s heptathlon, freshman Abraham Vogelsang is in 11th place, with the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault, and 1,000 meters still ahead. The Oslo, Norway, native placed in the top ten in three of the four events. Vogelsang closed out the shot put in fifth place hitting the 13.74-meter mark while securing seventh in the high jump (1.97 meters).

The Hawkeyes will continue competition tomorrow with the conclusion of the heptathlon and the triple jump.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s Weight Throw
3. Ryan Johnson - 24.48 meters (80’ 3.75”)

Women’s Pentathlon
4. Pauline Bikembo - 4,331 points

60-meter hurdles
8. Bikembo - 8.64
High Jump
2. Bikembo - 1.75 meters (5’ 8.75”)
Shot Put
11. Bikembo - 11.82 meters (38’ 9.5”)
Long Jump
1. Bikembo - 6.23 meters (20’ 5.25”)
800 Meters
7. Bikembo - 2:17.46, PR

Men’s Heptathlon
11. Abraham Vogelsang - 3,119 after Day 1

60 Meters
16. Vogelsang - 7.20
Long Jump
10. Vogelsang - 7.02 meters (23’ 0.5”)
Shot Put
5. Vogelsang - 13.74 meters (45’ 1”)
High Jump
7. Vogelsang - 1.97 meters (6’ 5.5”)