Knepp, Vogelsang Lead Hawkeyes to Open Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Iowa track and field team wrapped up day one of competition at the Drake Relays and Kip Janvrin Open Thursday afternoon. Freshmen standouts Luke Knepp and Abraham Vogelsang highlighted the day with a top collegiate finish and all-time list update, respectively.

“We kicked off the Drake Relays with a terrific day led by Abraham Vogelsang scoring a huge personal best in the decathlon to finish third place and currently ranked top five in the NCAA,” Director of track and field Joey Woody said. “Luke Knepp came back after a huge personal best last week at Bryan Clay to finish as the top collegian in the Steeplechase and win our first Drake Relays flag of the weekend. Luke is having a terrific redshirt freshman season.  

“I was proud of how well Lizzy (Korczak) and Mike (Stein) competed today in a loaded field. It wasn’t their best performance, but they competed very well head to head against some great competition. Yohana (Yual) had a terrific performance and huge personal best in the steeplechase right behind Luke. He broke nine minutes for the first time just a few weeks ago and now he’s a sub 8:50 performer. I’m very excited for how well Yohana is competing his senior season.”

Knepp led the Hawkeyes as the top collegian in the 3,000-meter steeplechase open. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native clocked in 8:43.84 on his way to Iowa’s first flag of the weekend. He finished third amongst all competitors. Teammate Yohana Yual finished in 8:48.32, a personal best and fourth-fastest time in program history.

Vogelsang concluded the decathlon with an incredible second day performance to earn him the bronze with 7,874 points. The freshman from Oslo, Norway, recorded a second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.18. He also notched three third-place finishes in the shot put (13.82 meters), high jump (1.95 meters), and discus (41.63 meters). 

In the women's World Athletics Continental Tour (WACT) javelin, junior Lizzy Korczak launched a 55.02-meter throw to secure fifth place. On the men’s side, junior Mike Stein recorded a 73.02-meter throw to finish sixth in the WACT javelin.

To finish the night, sophomore Miles Wilson secured the bronze in the men’s 10,000 meters invite with a time of 30:21.98.

Up Next: Iowa continues action at the Drake Relays and begins competition at the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola tomorrow.

HAWKEYE RESULTS:
* denotes wind assistance

Drake Relays
Men's Decathlon
3. Abraham Vogelsang - 7,874 points, 2nd at Iowa
8. 100 Meters - 10.94*
4. Long Jump - 7.38 meters*
3. Shot Put - 13.82 meters
3. High Jump - 1.95 meters
6. 400 Meters - 49.50
2. 110-Meter Hurdles - 14.18
3. Discus - 41.63 meters
4. Pole Vault - 4.85 meters
5. Javelin - 51.22 meters
5. 1,500 Meters - 4:43.10

Women’s 800 Meters Unseeded
9. Clare Kelly - 2:11.66, PR
14. Lily Johannes - 2:14.07, PR

Men’s 1,500 Meters Unseeded
14. Carson Lane - 3:55.15
18. Carson Houg - 3:57.16

Women’s 1,500 Meters Unseeded
14. Jalyssa Blazek - 4:31.56, PR 
15. Cameron Kalaway - 4:33.38, PR 

Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Open
3. Luke Knepp - 8:43.84, collegiate champion
5. Yohana Yual - 8:48.32, PR, 4th at Iowa
24. Hayden Kuhn - 9:10.94

Women’s 5,000 Meters Unseeded
13. Hillary Trainor - 17:19.57

Women’s 5,000 Meters Open
15. Miriam Sandeen - 16:55.71

Men’s 10,000 Meters Invite
3. Miles Wilson - 30:21.98

Men’s Javelin (WACT)
6. Mike Stein - 73.02 meters

Women’s Javelin (WACT)
5. Lizzy Korczak - 55.02 meters 

Kip Janvrin Open
Women’s 1,500 Meters
31. Marissa Long - 4:56.88