Mutunga Sets 600-Meter School Record in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Iowa track and field sophomore Damaris Mutunga posted a program record in the 600 meters at the Arkansas Invitational on Friday afternoon. 

Mutunga secured silver in the women’s 600 meters, clocking a school record and personal-best time of 1:26.69. The Machakos, Kenya, native shaved three seconds off of her season best and over a second off of her previous personal record. 

A group of Hawkeyes followed closely behind, including three that finished fifth through seventh. Junior Leanna Lewis led that pack with a personal-best 1:29.02, which ranks eighth in program history. Gabby Cortez clocked a 1:29.17, while Caila Lyons and Princess Uche notched personal-best performances in the event. In the men’s 600 meters, senior Terrick Johnson won the bronze with a time of 1:16.92. Hawkeyes Caleb Levy, Derek Leicht and Nicholas Gorsich all finished with personal bests on the day.

The Hawkeyes took home three titles and marked 17 personal bests. 

Iowa dominated the women’s 400 meters, led by sophomore Chioma Nwachukwu, who secured the title in 52.14. At the end of the day, Nwachukwu held the national lead. Sophomore Alivia Williams earned the bronze in 53.52, while teammates Izzy Zahn and Olicia Lucas rounded out the event with sixth and eighth-place finishes, respectively.

“We had a solid outing here in Arkansas today,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “For an early season meet, I thought our athletes competed very well. Damaris’ 600-meter performance and Chioma’s 400-meter win were definite highlights in very competitive fields. The 600-meter school record has been held for a long time by former NCAA champion and Olympian Kineke Alexander.”

The throws group secured two titles in Arkansas. Junior Ryan Johnson earned gold in the men’s weight throw with a 24.36-meter launch. Senior Wisdom Williams captured the women’s shot put title with a throw of 14.85 meters. 

The women’s relay team of Williams, Zahn, Mutunga and Nwachukwu finished second in 3:32.52, marking the fifth-fastest time in Iowa history.

Between the men’s and women’s 800 meters, the Hawkeyes recorded four personal bests. Rosemary Arthur saw the best placement and finished third. Arthur also clocked a personal best in her mile debut as a Hawkeye, crossing the line in a third-best 4:50.11. In the men’s mile, junior Carson Lane also recorded a personal best, finishing fifth in 4:07.68, before adding a second lifetime best of the afternoon in the 800 meters.

“The men were led by Ryan Johnson winning the weight throw with another performance over 24 meters,” Woody added. “Jordan Gross, Holly Duax and Alexandria Edison all had great season-opening races in the 200 meters. Caleb Levy had a terrific meet with a big PR in the 600 meters and great split in the 4x4. Carson Lane showed his range with a great race in the mile. I thought Alivia Williams had a terrific day running a really competitive 400 and coming back with a great leg to lead us off in the 4x4 that had an awesome performance.”

Senior Sal Capaldo posted a personal-best mark of 7.15 meters in the men’s long jump to earn a fourth-place finish. Freshman Lovisa Ulvenstam picked up fourth in the triple jump after sticking a 12.06-meter mark.

In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, junior Blake Nyenati advanced to the finals after winning his opening heat in 7.94 and qualifying on time in the semifinals in 8.00. He ultimately finished fourth in 7.86. On the women’s side, junior Dymonde Nave also had a solid night, earning an eighth-place finish.

Up Next: Iowa returns home to host its annual Larry Wieczorek Invitational on Jan. 23-24 at the Hawkeye Indoor Track Facility and Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 60 Meters Prelims
6. Holly Duax - 7.53, Q

Women’s 60 Meters Semifinals
8. Holly Duax - 7.56, q

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
6. Blake Nyenati- 7.94, Q
10. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 8.04, q
16. Sal Capaldo - 8.18, q, =PR

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Semifinals
7. Blake Nyenati - 8.00, q
16. Sal Capaldo - 8.34

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Finals
4. Blake Nyenati - 7.86

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
8. Dymonde Nave - 8.52, Q
9. Carlee Rochford - 8.55, Q
11. Jailya Ash - 8.62, q
13. Isabel Evans - 8.70, q
22. Natalie Harris - 8.98, q

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Semifinals
8. Dymonde Nave - 8.47, q
9. Jailya Ash - 8.50
10. Carlee Rochford - 8.55
14. Isabel Evans - 8.69
22. Natalie Harris - 8.93 

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Finals
8. Dymonde Nave - 8.63

Men’s 200 Meters
3. Jordan Gross - 21.31 
5. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 21.66, PR

Women’s 200 Meters
4. Holly Duax - 24.02
5. Alexandria Edison - 24.02

Men’s 400 Meters
6. Landon Fontenot - 47.69
8. Austin Rowswell - 47.75

Women’s 400 Meters
1. Chioma Nwachukwu - 52.14
3. Alivia Williams - 53.52
6. Izzy Zahn - 54.12
8. Olicia Lucas - 55.31

Men’s 600 Meters
3. Terrick Johnson - 1:16.92
6. Caleb Levy - 1:17.46, PR
9. Derek Leicht - 1:19.64, PR
12. Nicholas Gorsich - 1:20.42, PR

Women’s 600 Meters
2. Damaris Mutunga - 1:26.69, PR + 1st at Iowa
5. Leanna Lewis - 1:29.02, PR + 8th at Iowa
6. Gabby Cortez - 1:29.17
7. Caila Lyons - 1:30.51, PR
9. Princess Uche - 1:31.67, PR

Men’s 800 Meters
6. Carson Lane - 1:53.33, PR
22. Sal Capaldo - 2:06.42, PR
30. Will Davidson - 2:15.71, PR

Women’s 800 Meters
3. Rosemary Arthur - 2:10.33, PR 
7. Grace Boleyn - 2:15.84

Men’s Mile
5. Carson Lane - 4:07.68, PR
9. Owen Wolfe - 4:11.77
16. Spencer Alf - 4:16.01

Women’s Mile
7. Rosemary Arthur - 4:50.11, PR
11. Clare Kelly - 5:00.29
15. Grace Boleyn - 5:07.34

Men’s 3,000 Meters
5. Brayden Burnett - 8:11.26, PR
6. Hayden Kuhn - 8:11.61
9. Will Ryan - 8:17.46

Men’s 4x400 Relay
2. Tyrese Miller, Landon Fontenot, Austin Rowswell, Terrick Johnson - 3:10.73
7. Vaughn DeVaughn III, Nicholas Gorsich, Derek Leicht, Caleb Levy - 3:14.87  

Women’s 4x400 Relay
2. Alivia Williams, Izzy Zahn, Damaris Mutunga, Chioma Nwachukwu - 3:32.52, 5th at Iowa
4. Leanna Lewis, Olicia Lucas, Gabby Cortez, Princess Uche  - 3:37.11

Men’s Long Jump
4. Sal Capaldo - 7.15 meters (23’ 5.5”), PR

Women’s Long Jump
9. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 5.69 meters (18’ 8”)
15. Carlee Rochford - 5.38 meters (17’ 8”)

Women’s Triple Jump
4. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 12.06 meters (39’ 6.75”)

Men’s Shot Put
26. Will Davidson - 12.38 meters (40’ 7.50”)

Women’s Shot Put
1. Wisdom Williams - 14.85 meters (48’ 8.75”)

Men’s Weight Throw
1. Ryan Johnson - 24.36 meters (79’ 11.25”)
5. Walker Whalen - 19.37 meters (63’ 6.75”)

Women’s Weight Throw
4. Peyton Wilson - 17.39 meters (57’ 0.75”)