Johnson, Stein Land On Podium, 4x400 Advances to Final

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Iowa track and field throwers Ryan Johnson and Mike Stein earned first-team All-America honors and reached the podium at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field on Wednesday evening. Johnson and Stein each placed sixth in their respective events: the hammer throw and javelin.

“We had a great start to the weekend today,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Sean and Ryan got things started with strong throws in the qualifying round. Sean had his second-best throw ever and just missed the finals. Ryan had a fantastic series to place sixth and finish his year with another first-team award, matching his effort at NCAA indoors.”

Johnson earned first-team All-America honors with his sixth-place finish, firing 71.91 meters and scoring the men’s team three points from the hammer throw. The native of Springboro, Ohio, launched two attempts over 70 meters. He became the first Hawkeye to reach the podium in the hammer throw since Andy Hamilton in 2007. Johnson reached All-America status in his first season as a Hawkeye.

Stein uncorked a 75.77-meter throw out of the gate, which held as the best throw of his series and earned him sixth place. The junior from Milford, Iowa, claimed first-team honors in back-to-back seasons after placing seventh in the 2024 Championships. Stein is now one of three Hawkeyes in program history to make the national meet and earn All-America recognition in the event. Bill Neumann was the last Hawkeye to become a first-team All-American in the javelin in consecutive seasons (2002-03). Matt Byers was a two-time second-team All-American in 2012-13. Junior Sean Smith made his NCAA Championships debut and took home second-team honors after an 11th-place finish in the hammer. Smith’s second attempt sailed 67.81 meters, marking the best of his series.

“Mike (Stein) competed very tough and hard today,” Woody added. He put together a big throw in the qualifying round to make the finals and finished just outside the top three to place sixth overall. It’s another first-team All-American accolade for Mike.”

Iowa’s men’s 4x400 relay team put together its best performance of the year, earning the big Q out of heat one in a season-best 3:03.14. Landon Fontenot, Zidane Brown, Josh Pugh and Terrick Johnson advanced to the finals out of lane eight and were neck-and-neck with heat winner Arkansas for the duration of the race. Brown’s split of 44.89 positioned the Hawkeyes well, while Pugh and Johnson sealed the finish and moved Iowa on to Friday’s final. Overall, the time lands eighth in program history and inks the first update to the event top 10 since 2022. The Hawkeyes will be seeking their ninth first-team All-America honor in the event in program history on Friday night.

“The 4x4 was outstanding from start to finish,” Woody said. “Landon (Fontenot) set us up with a huge lead-off leg before Zidane (Brown) took off to gain separation from the field. Josh (Pugh) ran a strong third leg, kept us in the top two and gave way to Terrick (Johnson) who ran his own race to get the auto qualification to Friday’s final.”

Senior Kalen Walker ran 10.23 in the semifinals of the 100 meters and placed 18th to close his storied and accomplished career as a Hawkeye. Walker wrapped up his time in Iowa City with a Big Ten title in the 100 meters this season. The senior from Eddyville concludes his collegiate career as a three-time All-American, two-time Big Ten champion and school-record holder in the 60 meters, 100 meters and as part of the 4x100 relay. 

“Kalen had a tough day today,” said Woody. “Unfortunately, he didn’t execute his start the way he has the last few meets. He had a terrific season and this does not take away from everything he accomplished this year.”

Freshman Abraham Vogelsang entered as the eight seed in the decathlon, but was forced to medically withdraw after running the 100 meters in 11.39.

At the end of day one, the men’s team has six points and is in 11th place.

Up Next: Iowa will compete in the semifinal of the women’s 4x100 relay to start day two of the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at 6:05 p.m. (CT). Damaris Mutunga (400 meters), Alli Bookin-Nosbisch (800 meters) and the women’s 4x400 will follow in their respective semifinals on the track. Lizzy Korczak competes in the javelin finals at 7:15 p.m. Events will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+ (subscription required).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 100 Meters Semifinal
18. Kalen Walker - 10.23

Men’s 4x400 Relay Semifinal
4. Fontenot, Brown, Pugh, T. Johnson - 3:03.14, Q, SB, 8th at Iowa

Men’s Hammer Throw Final
6. Ryan Johnson - 71.91 meters (235’ 11”)
11. Sean Smith - 67.81 meters (222’ 5”)

Men’s Javelin Final
6. Mike Stein - 75.77 meters (248’ 7”)

Decathlon
Abraham Vogelsang - DNF
23. 100 Meters - 11.39
Long Jump - DNS