Walker, 4x400 Book Trip to Nationals

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Iowa senior Kalen Walker and the men’s 4x400 relay team punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships after qualifying at the West First Rounds at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday. Walker set a school record and ran the sixth-fastest time in the world this year in the 100 meters. 

The senior from Eddyville, Iowa, clocked a personal-best 9.94 to finish third overall in the quarterfinals. The time breaks his previous school record of 10.06. Earlier in the week, Walker posted a 10.38 to win his first round, before cruising to a heat victory in the quarterfinals.

“The highlight of the day was Kalen (Walker) executing a terrific race in the 100 meters to win his heat, punch his ticket to Eugene, and break 10.00 for the first time in program history,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “His time is currently ranked sixth in the world for wind legal times.”

“After having a rough few months throughout the late fall and indoor season due to injury, Kalen stayed positive and kept his mind focused on being ready for this moment and he owned it,” Woody added. “He is definitely trending in the right direction at the perfect time in the season and has a ton of confidence heading to Eugene.” 

The Hawkeyes’ 4x400-meter relay team of Tyrese Miller, Zidane Brown, Josh Pugh, and Terrick Johnson booked its trip to Eugene with an impressive 3:03.88 finish. The quartet placed second in its heat, just behind Arizona State, and earned the big Q. Overall, the Hawkeyes secured a ninth-place finish.

“Josh (Pugh) stepped up for us big time in the relay when Landon (Fontenot) couldn’t go and ran a monster third leg to handoff in first place,” Woody said. “Terrick (Johnson) continues to be a reliable leg for our team and ran a great anchor to keep us in the front pack.”

Walker, Miller, Brown, Pugh and Johnson will join Lizzy Korczak, Ryan Johnson, Sean Smith and Mike Stein in Eugene on June 11-14. 

“Today was definitely an up and down day for our men’s team. We had an unfortunate incident in the 4x100 relay that impeded our first exchange which caused us not to finish. I thought we had a team good enough to make the NCAA finals, but we weren't able to show what we could do today.”

Freshman Landon Fontenot and senior Zidane Brown competed in the men’s 400-meter quarterfinal, clocking times of 46.14 and 46.28, respectively. In the 110-meter hurdles quarterfinal, sophomore Kai Graves-Blanks finished in 13.83. 

In the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase quarterfinal, freshman Luke Knepp and senior Yohana Yual raced in a competitive field. Knepp finished in 8:47.22, while Yual crossed in 8:52.56.

Up Next: The women return to competition with the quarterfinals on the track. The first round of the discus and triple jump, and semifinal of the high jump are contested to start the day. Events begin at 1:00 p.m. (CT) at E.B. Cushing Stadium. ESPN+ (subscription required) will have the broadcast.

HAWKEYE RESULTS 
Men’s 100 Meters Quarterfinal
3. Kalen Walker - 9.94, PR, 1st at Iowa, Q

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Quarterfinal
19. Kai Graves-Blanks - 13.83

Men’s 400 Meters Quarterfinal
18. Landon Fontenot - 46.14
21. Zidane Brown - 46.28

Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Quarterfinal
18. Luke Knepp - 8:47.22
21. Yohana Yual - 8:52.56

Men’s 4x400 Relay Quarterfinal
9. Tyrese Miller, Zidane Brown, Josh Pugh, Terrick Johnson - 3:03.88, Q

Men’s Discus First Round
41. Bryce Ruland - 53.01 meters (173’ 11”)