3 Hawkeyes Punch Their Tickets to Eugene

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Iowa throwers Ryan Johnson, Sean Smith and Mike Stein advanced through the preliminaries of the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Wednesday. The trio will compete at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 11-14.

The start of the meet was delayed throughout the morning and early afternoon as a result of stormy conditions. The hammer throw, originally scheduled for a 10 a.m. start time, began in the early afternoon. 

Johnson comfortably advanced through the first round, placing seventh with a best of 66.14 meters. Smith took the final spot, placing 12th at 65.16 meters. It was Smith’s final throw that pushed him through to Eugene, surpassing Sam Innes of Missouri by one centimeter (65.15 meters). It will be the debut for both Johnson and Smith at the NCAA Championships.

“We started things off by punching two tickets to Eugene in the hammer throw,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “We are excited for Ryan and Sean for qualifying to their first ever NCAA Outdoor finals. Sean stepped up and put together a big effort in his last throw to move up a spot and qualify by one centimeter.”

In the men’s javelin, returning first-team All-American Mike Stein needed only one throw to book his spot in the finals in Eugene, placing second at 76.96 meters. Stein improved over two meters from his qualifying mark a season ago at the preliminaries.

“Mike continued his great season with a monster first round throw to book his spot in Eugene for the second year in a row,” Woody added.

On the track, Big Ten champion Kalen Walker sped through to the quarters of the 100 meters, winning his heat in 10.28. Kai Graves-Blanks pushed through to Friday’s quarterfinal of the 110-meter hurdles in 13.54. The sophomore from Upland, California, finished fourth in a loaded section. Three of the top six times in the first round came out of the heat. Graves-Blanks placed 10th overall and advanced on time.

“We kept the momentum going on the track with another terrific start and race from Kalen (Walker),” said Woody. “Kai started us off with a very solid race in the 110 hurdles. He finished well and ran his second-fastest wind legal time into a headwind.”

Iowa sent two sprinters to the second round of the 400 meters. Zidane Brown pushed through on time in 46.07. Landon Fontenot won his heat in 46.16, sealing his spot alongside Brown in Friday’s quarterfinals.

“The 400 guys competed extremely well today with both Landon (Fontenot) and Zidane (Brown) bringing the heat the last 100 meters to both qualify for Friday's quarterfinals. Both athletes ran right off their season best time,” Woody added.

Ryan Schreiner claimed the final qualification spot in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 1:49.02.

“After an hour-long protest on another athlete, we received some great news for Ryan qualifying into the final spot,” Woody said. “He was very competitive and competed all the way to the finish line to grab the final time qualifier.”

Up Next: Opening rounds of the women’s events are contested Thursday, beginning at 10 a.m. (CT). Competition will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 100 Meters First Round
6. Kalen Walker - 10.28, Q

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles First Round
10. Kai Graves-Blanks - 13.54, q

Men’s 400 Meters First Round
15. Zidane Brown - 46.07, q
17. Landon Fontenot - 46.16, Q

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles First Round
25. Jaylin Holmes - 51.24
31. Isaac Lewis - 51.61
45. Nicholas Gorsich - 53.19

Men’s 800 Meters First Round
24. Ryan Schreiner - 1:49.02, q

Men’s Hammer Throw First Round
7. Ryan Johnson - 66.14 meters (217’), q
12. Sean Smith - 65.16 meters (213’ 9”), q
16. Austin Busch - 64.79 meters (212’ 6”)

Men’s Javelin First Round
2. Mike Stein - 76.96 meters (252’ 6”), q