Hawkeyes Claim 10 Titles at Iowa Open

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field team secured 10 event titles at the Iowa Open on Friday afternoon.

The Hawkeyes dominated the 60-meter hurdles, capturing both the men’s and women’s titles. In the women’s prelims, junior Dymonde Nave climbed the program’s all-time list with a qualifying time of 8.34. She went on to win the title in 8.24 in the finals, improving her personal best and moving to seventh all-time. Joining her in the finals were Carlee Rochford (8.37), Jailya Ash (8.43) and Isabel Evans (8.51). On the men’s side, junior Blake Nyenati claimed the title in 7.70, finishing just shy of his personal best. Senior Vaughn DeVaughn III also delivered a standout performance, climbing to ninth all-time at Iowa with a lifetime-best 7.77. 

“First of all, it’s great to be home again and being able to compete here means a lot,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “We had some really strong event results from those who competed, along with some excellent training performances. Overall, it was a great effort as we head towards the Big Ten Championships. The big breakthrough was Dymonde in the hurdles. She picked up a big win and a huge PR, which is really building her confidence. Overall, I’m really excited about where we are right now.” 

Senior Alexandria Edison secured the women’s 60-meter title with a personal-best 7.52. Senior Natalie Harris also recorded a lifetime best in the finals, finishing in 7.96. On the men’s side, freshman Jordan Gross placed second, crossing the line in 6.66. 

Edison picked up another win in the women’s 200 meters, clocking a 24.01. Teammate Ali Frandsen secured ninth in 25.52.

“Alexandria Edison had two big wins and a personal best in the 60 meters, along with a strong performance in the 200,” Woody said. “She’s in a great place heading into next week. Jordan didn’t get the win today, but he was right off his PR in the 60 meters, which shows he’s ready.”

The Hawkeyes continued to dominate in the 600 meters, where freshman Evan Osler and junior Leanna Lewis each claimed event titles. Osler led the way with a lifetime-best 1:20.25 to earn gold while Lewis clocked a 1:29.60. 

In the 3,000 meters, senior Miriam Sandeen captured the women’s title with a huge personal-best time of 9:54.78, while senior Rowan Boulter took bronze in 10:09.09. On the men’s side, sophomore Kyle Montgomery placed fourth in 8:28.75.

Freshman Spencer Alf and sophomore Armaan Chopra both picked up lifetime bests in the men’s mile. Alf collected the bronze, while Chopra finished fifth.

In the women’s long jump, freshman Lovisa Ulvenstam had a standout performance, recording a personal-best 5.94 meters to finish second. Her mark ranks eighth all-time at Iowa.

Senior Wisdom Williams won the women’s shot put, launching a 15.36-meter throw to secure the title.

Junior Ryan Johnson claimed the men’s weight throw crown with a mark of 24.49 meters. Senior Sean Smith added a bronze-medal finish, while Austin Busch (seventh) and Walker Whalen (13th) rounded out the Hawkeyes’ finishes. On the women’s side, redshirt sophomore Peyton Wilson earned silver in the weight throw with a mark of 18.14 meters.

“It was great to see Sean put together a strong mark today and get close to his personal best,” Woody added. “Ryan continued his consistency with another 24-plus meter throw. That puts us in a really good position going into Big Tens. On the women’s side, Peyton continues to put things together and has been very consistent, which is a great sign for what’s to come.”

Overall, the Hawkeyes picked up 12 personal bests and made four updates to the all-time list.

Up Next: Iowa competes at the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis from Feb. 26-28.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 60 Meters Prelims
1. Jordan Gross - 6.71, q
3. Olaolu Olatunde - 6.75, q
12. Sal Capaldo - 7.07

Men’s 60 Meters Finals
2. Jordan Gross - 6.66

Women’s 60 Meters Prelims
1. Alexandria Edison - 7.54, q
6. Natalie Harris - 7.79, q, PR

Women’s 60 Meters Finals
1. Alexandria Edison - 7.52, PR
7. Natalie Harris - 7.96, PR

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
1. Blake Nyenati - 7.77, q
4. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 7.90, q 
6. Tyler Kenaga - 8.01, q 
8. Will Davidson - 8.16, q, PR

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Finals
1. Blake Nyenati - 7.70
3. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 7.77, PR + 9th at Iowa
7. Tyler Kenaga - 8.20
8. Will Davidson - 8.30

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
2. Dymonde Nave - 8.34, q, PR + Tied 8th at Iowa
4. Carlee Rochford - 8.45, q
5. Isabel Evans - 8.51, q
7. Jailya Ash - 8.62, q
9. Natalie Harris - 8.69

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Finals
1. Dymonde Nave - 8.24, PR + 7th at Iowa
3. Carlee Rochford - 8.37 
5. Jailya Ash - 8.43
6. Isabel Evans - 8.51

Women’s 200 Meters
1. Alexandria Edison - 24.01
9. Ali Frandsen - 25.52

Men’s 600 Meters
1. Evan Osler - 1:20.25, PR
2. Ryan Schreiner - 1:20.29

Women’s 600 Meters
1. Leanna Lewis - 1:29.60
2. Rosemary Arthur - 1:32.72

Women’s 800 Meters
4. Lily Johannes - 2:16.72, PR

Men’s Mile
3. Spencer Alf - 4:11.90, PR
5. Armaan Chopra - 4:12.61, PR
7. Ethan Eichhorn - 4:15.24

Men’s 3,000 Meters
4. Kyle Montgomery - 8:28.75

Women’s 3,000 Meters
1. Miriam Sandeen - 9:54.78, PR 
3. Rowan Boulter - 10:09.09

Men’s High Jump
4. Will Davidson - 1.75 meters (5’ 8.75”)

Women’s Long Jump
2. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 5.94 meters (19’ 6”), PR + 8th at Iowa

Men’s Pole Vault
5. Sal Capaldo - 4.60 meters (15’ 1”), =PR

Women’s Triple Jump
1. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 12.39 meters (40’ 7.75”)

Women’s Shot Put
1. Wisdom Williams - 15.36 meters (50’ 4.75)

Men’s Weight Throw
1. Ryan Johnson - 24.49 meters (80’ 4.25”)
3. Sean Smith - 22.25 meters (73’ 0”)
7. Austin Busch - 20.00 meters (65’ 7.50”)
13. Walker Whalen - 19.05 (62’ 6”)

Women’s Weight Throw
2. Peyton Wilson - 18.14 meters (59’ 6.25”)