Smith Secures Gold in Kansas

WALNUT, Calif. – The University of Iowa track and field team wrapped up day two of competition across three meets, the Bryan Clay Invitational, Mt. SAC Relays, and Kansas Relays, on Thursday afternoon. Junior Sean Smith highlighted the day taking home the gold in the men’s hammer throw with a personal-best and all-time finish of 68.25 meters.

“We had a great day today in the hammer at the Kansas Relays,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “The men going one-two and a big personal best by Sean was a great highlight. Austin has been super consistent these last couple of meets and that will set him up well for a big personal best soon.”

“We had a lot of personal-bests at the Bryan Clay Invite in the 800 meters. Alli was just off her personal best to finish as the top collegian in her heat,” Woody added.  

“Sal and Carlee competed very well on the second day of the decathlon and heptathlon,” Woody said. “Carlee had two personal bests today with a huge personal best in the 800 meters and finished with a total personal best in the heptathlon. Sal started the day with some good marks in the hurdles and discus and a huge personal best in the pole vault. He finished strong in the last two events to have an almost 150-point overall decathlon personal best.”

At the Kansas Relays, junior Sean Smith claimed the gold in the men’s hammer throw, recording a personal-best mark of 68.25 meters, the second-best throw in Iowa program history. Sophomore Austin Busch earned the silver with a mark of 66.78 meters, improving his standing as fifth all-time at Iowa. 

Sophomore Carlee Rochford concluded the women’s heptathlon with a lifetime best of 5,114 points, which ranks eighth all-time at Iowa. The New Hampton, Iowa, native picked up two personal bests on day two of competition. Rochford secured the bronze in the javelin, hitting a personal record of 35.78 meters. She also recorded a lifetime best of 5.36 meters in the long jump to finish in ninth place. 

On the men’s side, junior Sal Capaldo delivered a strong finish in the decathlon, earning a personal-best total of 7,221 points, ranking him fifth all-time at Iowa. Capaldo’s day was highlighted by three personal bests in the 110-meter hurdles (14.32), Pole Vault (4.60 meters) and javelin (42.52 meters). 

Senior Alli Bookin-Nosbisch finished just off her personal best and program record in the 800-meter elite race. The Ottumwa, Iowa, native clocked a 2:03.13 to finish eighth.

Up Next: Iowa continues action at Mt. Sac, Bryan Clay, and the Kansas Relays, while also kicking off competition at the Tom Jones and Beach Invitationals.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Kansas Relays
Men’s Hammer Throw
1. Sean Smith - 68.25 meters (223’ 11”), PR + 2nd at Iowa
2. Austin Busch - 66.78 meters (219’ 1”), PR + 5th at Iowa

Women’s Hammer Throw
5. Alivia Bauer - 56.33 meters (184’ 9”)

Mt. Sac Relays
Men’s Decathlon
9. Sal Capaldo - 7,221 points, PR + 5th at Iowa
13. Abraham Vogelsang - 4,945 points

110-Meter Hurdles Section 1
5. Sal Capaldo - 14.32, PR
8. Abraham Vogelsang - 14.39

Discus Section 1
5. Abraham Vogelsang - 43.42 meters (142’ 5”)
14. Sal Capaldo - 36.35 meters (119’ 3”)

Pole Vault Section 1
1. Abraham Vogelsang - 4.80 meters (15’ 9”)
4. Sal Capaldo - 4.60 meters (15’ 1”), PR

Javelin Section 1
13. Sal Capaldo - 42.52 meters (139’ 6”), PR
Abraham Vogelsang - FOUL

1,500 Meters Section 1
10. Sal Capaldo - 4:59.85
Abraham Vogelsang - DNF

Women’s Heptathlon
5. Carlee Rochford - 5,114 points, PR + 8th at Iowa
Pauline Bikembo - DNF
Annie Wirth - DNF

Long Jump Section 2 
9. Carlee Rochford - 5.36 meters (17’ 7”), PR

Javelin Section 2 
3. Carlee Rochford - 35.78 meters (117’ 4”), PR

800 Meters Section 2
8. Carlee Rochford - 2:24.99 

Bryan Clay Invitational
Men’s 800 Meters Invite
8. Ryan Schreiner - 1:48.42
16. James Fingalsen - 1:48.74, PR
31. Terrick Johnson - 1:49.51, PR
104. Derek Leicht - 1:51.66, PR 
113. Carson Lane - 1:52.46
120. Caleb Levy - 1:53.08

Women’s 800 Meters Open
18. Jalyssa Blazek - 2:11.35, PR
71. Cameron Kalaway - 2:14.26 

Women’s 800 Meters Invite
52. Jaiden Itson - 2:08.49, PR
82. Gabby Cortez - 2:10.15
112. Clare Kelly - 2:12.54, PR

Women’s 800 Meters Elite
8. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch - 2:03.13

Men’s 5,000 Meters Open Section B
29. Miles Wilson - 14:26.18, PR

Women’s 5,000 Meters
12. Elena Torres - 16:29.74, PR