Johnson Wins Weight Throw at Tyson Invite

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Iowa track and field junior Ryan Johnson captured the weight throw title with a throw of 24.58 meters at the Tyson Invitational this afternoon.

This victory marks Johnson’s sixth weight throw title of the season. Senior Sean Smith added a 20.78-meter throw, while Walker Whalen reached 18.84 meters.

“Ryan continued his dominant success this season, winning by more than a meter against the deepest and most competitive field he’s faced so far this season,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said.

In Arkansas, sophomore Emmanuel Njoku shattered his personal best in the men’s long jump with a 7.93-meter leap, tying for the second-best mark in Iowa’s school history and finishing second overall.

“Emmanuel had the best meet of his career, putting together a great series of jumps and a huge PR to move into the top 10 in the NCAA,” Woody added. “He continues to amaze me with his incredible comeback from an ACL injury less than a year ago. He’s confident and excited to keep improving this season.”

Sophomore Chioma Nwachukwu placed in the top 10 of the women’s 400 meters with a time of 52.60. Damaris Mutunga finished within the top 20 at 53.20, while Olicia Lucas set a personal best and recorded the ninth-fastest time in program history at 53.25. On the men’s side, Terrick Johnson ran a 46.92, which placed him in the top 25. Freshman Austin Rowswell also set a personal best, crossing the line in 47.29 in the men’s 400 meters.

“The men and women competed very well in the 400 meters with a huge PR by Olicia Lucas and strong performance from Princess Uche,” Woody said. “Both have been improving every single week and are hitting their stride heading into the championship part of our season.”  

In the women’s 800 meters, senior Gabby Cortez led the Hawkeyes with a fourth-place finish in 2:07.49. Junior Leanna Lewis finished close behind, clocking in at 2:08.53. Teammates Caila Lyons, Rosemary Arthur and Grace Boleyn each recorded personal bests to round out the 800 meters. Junior Caleb Levy also picked up a personal best on the men’s side in 1:50.56, good for 16th. 

At the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, freshman Owen Wolfe clocked a personal-best 4:05.17 in the men’s mile to move to ninth all-time at Iowa. He competed in the mile just three hours after posting a 1:51.90 in the men’s 800 meters.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes wrap up their weekend in Fayetteville and Boston on Saturday. Competition begins in Boston at 8:00 a.m. (CT) and Fayetteville at 10:30 a.m.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Tyson Invitational
Men’s 60 Meters University Prelims
13. Jordan Gross - 6.75
16. Olaolu Olatunde - 6.77
41. Jayline Holmes - 6.94

Men’s 60 Meters Invite Prelims
8. Darwin Jimenez - 6.63, q
11. Kalen Walker - 6.66

Men’s 60 Meters Invite Finals
Darwin Jimenez - DNS

Women’s 60 Meters University Prelims
12. Holly Duax - 7.39
36. Alexandria Edison - 7.55

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles University Prelims
12. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 7.93
23. Tyler Kenaga - 8.09

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Invite Prelims
9. Blake Nyenati - 7.76

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles University Prelims
27. Dymonde Nave - 8.58
32. Isabel Evans - 8.67
37. Natalie Harris - 8.74
53. Jailya Ash - 9.83

Men’s 400 Meters University
23. Terrick Johnson - 46.92
29. David Akhalu - 47.01
36. Austin Rowswell - 47.29, PR 
41. Tyrese Miller - 47.38

Women’s 400 Meters University
8. Chioma Nwachukwu - 52.60 
19. Damaris Mutunga - 53.20 
21. Olicia Lucas - 53.25, PR + 9th at Iowa
30. Alivia Williams - 53.54
35. Princess Uche - 54.15 

Men’s 800 Meters University
16. Caleb Levy - 1:50.56, PR 
22. Derek Leicht - 1:51.20
37. Ryan Schreiner - 1:52.58

Women’s 800 Meters University
4. Gabby Cortez - 2:07.49
8. Leanna Lewis - 2:08.53
12. Caila Lyons - 2:08.97, PR
18. Rosemary Arthur - 2:10.22, PR
36. Grace Boleyn - 2:14.03, PR

Men’s Long Jump
2. Emmanuel Njoku - 7.93 meters (26’ .25”), PR + Tied 2nd at Iowa

Men’s Weight Throw
1. Ryan Johnson - 24.58 meters (80’ 7.75”)
19. Sean Smith - 20.78 meters (68’ 2.25”)
29. Walker Whalen - 18.84 meters (61’ 9.75”)

Women’s Weight Throw
28. Peyton Wilson - 17.29 meters (56’ 8.75)

BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational
Men’s 800 Meters
23. Owen Wolfe - 1:51.90

Men’s Mile Run
73. Owen Wolfe - 4:05.17, PR + 9th at Iowa
158. Carson Lane - 4:11.39

Men’s 3,000 Meters Open
89. Luke Knepp - 8:12.47

Men’s 5,000 Meters Open
67. Hayden Kuhn - 14:00.34, PR + 5th at Iowa
90. Will Ryan - 14:09.41, PR + 10th at Iowa
135. Miles Wilson - 14:25.50
141. Elias Arbuckle - 14:29.31
145. Brayden Burnett - 14:31.26