Hawkeyes Finish Day 1 of B1G Championships

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Iowa track and field concluded day one of the Big Ten Championships at Hayward Field on Friday, highlighted by junior Mike Stein’s second-place finish in the men’s javelin.

Stein earned the silver medal in the men’s javelin, posting a best mark of 77.41 meters. Three of his throws sailed over 75 meters. In the men’s hammer throw, sophomore Ryan Johnson finished fourth with a throw of 69.94 meters. Stein scored eight points for the Hawkeye men, while Johnson tallied five.

After day one, the men’s team is tied for fifth place with 13 points. 

“We had a really good start on day one of the Big Ten Championships,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “I was very proud of Mike (Stein) and Ryan (Johnson) scoring some big points for our team. They both battled hard today in the deepest and toughest fields in the NCAA in both of their events. I was impressed with Mike (Stein) finishing runner up after winning the Big Ten title last season. Both guys will be competing to make the finals and score big points back here at the NCAA meet in a few weeks.”

On the track, the Hawkeyes advanced sophomore Isaac Lewis and senior Lia Love in the 200 meters and 400-meter hurdles. Lewis clocked a 50.79 in the 400-meter hurdles to finish fourth, while Love posted a 23.36 in the 200 meters, placing eighth. In the women’s 400-meter hurdles, freshman Claire Kohler (59.76) and sophomore Ali Frandsen (59.87) claimed the final two spots on time to advance to Sunday’s final.

“Our 400-hurdle group had a great day, sending three athletes to the finals,” Woody continued. “We just missed on sending two more. Isaac (Lewis) had a strong race and has more left in the tank for the finals. Claire had a personal best today and is very close to putting together a 58 second race. Ali didn’t have her best performance today, but she did enough to qualify for her first Big Ten final.”

In the men’s decathlon, junior Sal Capaldo sits in fifth place with 3,854 points after day one. Capaldo placed second in the 100 meters with a time of 10.83, third in the high jump at 1.96 meters, and fourth in the 400 meters, finishing in 49.68.

On the women’s side, Carlee Rochford and Pauline Bikembo are sixth and seventh, respectively in the heptathlon standings. Rochford recorded two personal bests, throwing 12.12 meters in the shot put and running 13.83 in the 100-meter hurdles. Bikembo also notched two personal bests, placing fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (13.86) and sixth in the 200 meters (24.44).

“I thought the multis had an excellent day one today. Carlee (Rochford) had some huge personal bests in multiple events to set her up very well heading into day two tomorrow,” Woody added. “Pauline (Bikembo) finished the day very strong with a big 200-meter personal best and is still in a great position heading into tomorrow. Sal (Capaldo) had a very good day overall and is competing well in all the events. He finished the day with a great 400-meter race.”

Up Next: Competition resumes at the 2025 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships at 11:30 a.m. (CT) on Saturday. Events will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).

HAWKEYE RESULTS 
Women’s 200 Meters Prelims
8. Lia Love - 23.36, q 
14. Holly Duax - 23.64

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles Prelims
4. Isaac Lewis - 50.79, Q
12. Jaylin Holmes - 51.60
16. Nicholas Gorsich - 52.69

Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles Prelims
8. Claire Kohler - 59.76, PR, q
9. Ali Frandsen - 59.87, q
10. Ellie Rickertsen - 1:00.15

Women’s 1,500 Meters Prelims
25. Jalyssa Blazek - 4:28.46, PR
30. Cameron Kalaway - 4:33.72    
32. Clare Kelly - 4:36.04

Women’s 10,000 Meters Final
18. Miriam Sandeen - 35:27.09

Men’s Hammer Throw Final
4. Ryan Johnson - 69.94 meters (229’ 5”)
15. Austin Busch - 62.41 meters (204’ 9”)
16. Sean Smith - 61.83 meters (202’ 10”)

Women’s Hammer Throw Final
17. Alivia Bauer - 57.06 meters (187’ 2”)
19. Peyton Wilson - 55.37 meters (181’ 8”)

Men’s Pole Vault Final
18. Abraham Vogelsang - 4.94 meters (16’ 2.5”), PR

Men’s Javelin Final
2. Mike Stein - 77.41 meters (253’ 11”)
15. Drake Woody - 56.59 meters (185’ 8”)

Men’s Decathlon
5. Sal Capaldo - 3,854 points
2. 100 Meters - 10.83
8. Long Jump - 6.76 meters (22’ 2.25”)
12. Shot Put - 11.92 meters (39’ 1.25”)
3. High Jump - 1.96 meters (6’ 5”)
4. 400 Meters - 49.68

Women’s Heptathlon
6. Pauline Bikembo - 3,367 points
5. 100-Meter Hurdles - 13.86, PR
9. High Jump - 1.63 meters (5’ 4.25”)
9. Shot Put - 11.97 meters (39’ 3.25”)
6. 200 Meters - 24.44, PR 

7. Carlee Rochford - 3,285 points
4. 100-Meter Hurdles - 13.83, PR
8. High Jump - 1.66 meters (5’ 5.25”), PR
8. Shot Put - 12.12 meters (39’ 9.25”), PR
17. 200 Meters - 25.89