Gross Moves Into Program Top 10 at Hawkeye Invite

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa freshman Jordan Gross made his way onto the program’s all-time list in the 60 meters on Saturday afternoon at the Hawkeye Invite. The Vandalia, Ohio, native clocked a personal-best 6.71 to secure gold tie for the sixth-fastest in school history. 

Senior Sal Capaldo opened the day as the top collegian and placed third overall in the men’s pole vault, clearing 4.45 meters. He later recorded a personal best of 8.18 in the 60-meter hurdle prelims before matching that time to claim the title in the finals. Teammates Carlee Rochford and Isabel Evans closed out the women’s 60-meter hurdles with a one-two finish, both personal bests.

“We didn’t compete a lot of our team, but had a really good day. Starting things off with Jordan running a personal record in the 60, followed by a couple of personal bests from Isabel and Carlee,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody highlighted. “Carlee had a fantastic day. She jumped well, had a huge personal best in the 60 hurdles and then had a great leg in the relay.”

Iowa swept the 300-meter races with a pair of victories. On the men’s side, Vaughn DeVaughn III set a personal record with a 34.16 finish. Alivia Williams won the women’s title in 37.74 to update her lifetime best. Damaris Mutunga (37.80) and Alexandria Edison (37.89, PR) filled out the top three in the event.

“It was fantastic to see all three of our women’s 300 runners going step-for-step and pushing each other at the line,” Woody added. “It really set up the rest of our meet. I was happy to see them run 37 seconds on this track.”

The Hawkeyes’ women’s 600-meter group dominated the field. Freshman Caila Lyons won the race in 1:31.12. Newcomer Princess Uche made her Iowa debut and finished second in 1:32.64. Grace Boleyn crossed the line in 1:35.12 to place fourth. 

Miles Wilson led a strong group of Hawkeyes in the 3,000 meters, breaking the tape in 8:19.67. Elias Arbuckle (8:25.69) and Owen Wolfe (8:33.76) rounded out the top three. Armaan Chopra registered a lifetime best at 8:36.39 and placed fourth. Kyle Montgomery ran 8:41.63 to finish fifth. 

The Hawkeyes won both relays. The men’s 4x400 of Capaldo, Gross, Nicholas Gorsich and DeVaughn sped to a 3:17.66 finish. The women’s team of Boleyn, Edison, Rochford and Lyons won in 3:50.92. Trailing in the final 400 meters, Lyons turned on the jets and completed the comeback for the relay win.

“Caila was so impressive in the 600 and then later in that last leg of the relay,” Woody said. “She is going to be great in the mid-distance for us.”

Elsewhere on the track, freshman Isabel Evans finished fourth with a personal-best 7.90 in the women’s 60 meters. In the men’s mile, senior Will Ryan clocked a fourth-place finish, while freshman Spencer Alf recorded a personal-best 4:14.99 to secure sixth place. 

Freshman Lovisa Ulvenstam claimed the women’s long jump title, soaring 5.85 meters, while junior Carlee Rochford matched her lifetime best of 5.74 meters to take the bronze.

“Looking back to yesterday, we opened up well with the throws,” Woody noted. “Sean competed at a terrific level with a really good series. He is close to some bigger throws and is right at his PR. Ryan threw one of the best series in NCAA history. They both have big goals of doing the same thing at the national meet. We look forward to opening up some of our returners at one of the best meets in the country next week.”

Up Next: Iowa travels to the Arkansas Invitational on Jan. 16 in Fayetteville.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 60 Meters Prelims
1. Jordan Gross - 6.79, Q

Men’s 60 Meters Finals
1. Jordan Gross - 6.71, PR, T-6th at Iowa

Women’s 60 Meters Finals
4. Isabel Evans - 7.90, PR

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
1. Sal Capaldo - 8.18, Q, PR 

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Finals
1. Sal Capaldo - 8.18

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Finals
1. Carlee Rochford - 8.48, PR
2. Isabel Evans - 8.53, PR

Men’s 300 Meters
1. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 34.16, PR
5. Nicholas Gorsich - 34.96

Women’s 300 Meters
1. Alivia Williams - 37.74, PR
2. Damaris Mutunga - 37.80
3. Alexandria Edison - 37.89, PR

Women’s 600 Meters
1. Caila Lyons - 1:31.12
2. Princess Uche - 1:32.64
4. Grace Boleyn - 1:35.12

Men’s Mile
4. Will Ryan - 4:13.94
6. Spencer Alf - 4:14.99, PR

Women’s Mile
9. Clare Kelly - 5:04.63
15. Rowan Boulter - 5:14.44
17. Ellie Rathe - 5:19.73

Men’s 3,000 Meters
1. Miles Wilson - 8:19.67
2. Elias Arbuckle - 8:25.69
3. Owen Wolfe - 8:33.76
4. Armaan Chopra - 8:36.39, PR
5. Kyle Montgomery - 8:41.63

Women’s 3,000 Meters
1. Elena Torres - 9:49.30
2. Hillary Trainor - 9:52.75
3. Julia Gehl - 9:53.77
4. Jalyssa Blazek - 10:13.13
5. Marissa Long - 10:28.09

Men’s 4x400 Relay
1. Capaldo, Gross, Gorsich, DeVaughn III - 3:17.66

Women’s 4x400 Relay
1. Boleyn, Edison, Rochford, Lyons - 3:50.92

Women’s Long Jump
1. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 5.85 meters (19’ 2.50”)
3. Carlee Rochford - 5.74 meters (18’ 10”), =PR

Men’s Pole Vault
3. Sal Capaldo - 4.45 meters (14’ 7.25”)