Johnson Resets Program Record in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Iowa sophomore Ryan Johnson posted a program record in the hammer throw on Saturday afternoon at the Texas State Invitational. Johnson fired a 71.87-meter throw, securing both the win and school record.

“We had a terrific weekend here at Texas Relays and Texas State,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “When you come to a huge meet like this, you know you are going up against some of the best competition in the NCAA. To come away with three Texas Relays champions, a top collegian in an invitational event, and multiple event finalists speaks volumes to how successful our weekend was and how well our athletes competed.”

“I was very pleased with how well Lizzy and Mike threw yesterday, finishing as the women’s champion and Mike as the top collegian in the Javelin Invitational, along with another season best. Ryan continued his momentum today with another big school record in the hammer. I was happy to see Lia run close to her windy personal best today in the 100-meter finals and 200 meter, which was almost wind legal. Kai had a spectacular race in the 110-meter hurdle finals and even though it was windy, it shows that he is really close to a big personal-best. I told him he was ready to go 13.5 if he executed his race and he did that today. Maria had another great day in the high jump and even though she didn’t hit a personal-best, she earned the honor of being a Texas Relays Champion.”

Johnson shattered the school record he set just last week in his outdoor debut at the UCF Black and Gold Invitational. His throw of 71.87 meters not only earned him the gold but also secured the fifth best throw nationally. Junior Sean Smith finished in second place with a throw of 65.52 meters. Sophomore Austin Busch rounded out the Hawkeyes on the leaderboard with a 63.67-meter toss that earned him fourth-place.

In Austin, freshman Maria Arboleda won the women’s high jump, clearing 1.83 meters. Sophomore Sydnie Smith moved up the all-time list with a personal-best throw of 52.48 meters in the women’s discus, securing second place.

In the 110-meter hurdles finals, sophomore Kai Graves-Blanks finished fifth with a wind-aided time of 13.57. Senior Lia Love clocked a wind-aided time of 11.20 in the women’s 100-meter finals, finishing seventh. 

At the Illinois State Redbird Challenge, the Hawkeyes' leaderboard in the women’s 1500 meters was filled with lifetime bests. Sophomore Cameron Kalaway clocked in at 4:41.95, securing sixth place. Junior Jalyssa Blazek finished just behind with a personal-best time of 4:42.92. Sophomore Clare Kelly also recorded a career best, crossing the line in 4:50.18. On the men’s side, freshman Carson Houg claimed the bronze in the men’s 1500 meters at 3:58.18.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes will travel to the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, California, and the Mike Fanelli Track Classic in San Francisco, California. They will also compete in the Florida Relays in Gainesville, Florida, with action starting on Friday, April 4th.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Texas Relays
Women’s 100 Meters
7. Lia Love - 11.20* wind aided

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Finals
5. Kai Graves-Blanks - 13.57* wind aided

Women’s 4x400 Relay
6. Frandsen, Al. Williams, Duax, Ar. Williams - 3:39.83

Women’s Discus
2. Sydnie Smith - 52.48 meters (172’ 2”), PR, 6th at Iowa

Men’s Discus 
8. Bryce Ruland - 55.49 meters (182’ 0”)

Women’s Shot Put
9. Wisdom Williams - 15.67 meters (51’ 5”)

Women’s High Jump
1. Maria Arboleda - 1.83 meters (6’ 0”)

Women’s Triple Jump
5. Daniela Wamokpego - 13.19 meters (43’ 3.25”)

Texas State Invite
Women’s 100-Meter Hurdles
25. Carlee Rochford - 14.61, PR
35. Annie Wirth - 14.86

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles
23. Kalil Johnson - 14.37
26. Sal Capaldo - 14.44
31. Tyler Kenaga - 14.50

Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay
10. Frandsen, Kohler, Rickertsen, Woody - 3:50.31

Men’s Hammer Throw
1. Ryan Johnson - 71.87 meters (235’ 9”), PR, 1st at Iowa
2. Sean Smith - 65.52 meters (214’ 11”)
4. Austin Busch - 63.67 meters (208’ 10”) 

Women’s Hammer Throw
8. Alivia Bauer - 56.40 meters (185’ 0”)
17. Peyton Wilson - 51.80 meters (169’ 11”)

Women’s High Jump
19. Carlee Rochford - 1.61 meters (5’ 3.25”)

Men’s Shot Put
17. Duke Faley - 15.71 meters (51’ 6.5”)

Illinois State
Women’s 800 Meters 
4. Clare Kelly - 2:14.96
7. Cameron Kalaway - 2:17.88, PR 
8. Jalyssa Blazek - 2:18.48

Women’s 1500 Meters
6. Cameron Kalaway - 4:41.95, PR
7. Jalyssa Blazek - 4:42.92, PR
9. Julia Gehl - 4:46.17
15. Clare Kelly - 4:50.18, PR 
16. Marissa Long - 4:53.50
18. Audra Soderlind - 4:56.01
23. Rowan Boulter - 4:57.49
28. Ellie Rathe - 5:09.08

Men’s 1500 Meters
3. Carson Houg - 3:58.18
12. Armaan Chopra - 4:04.45
17. Kyle Montgomery - 4:08.42