Johnson Wins B1G Title with Collegiate Record Throw

INDIANAPOLIS – University of Iowa junior Ryan Johnson captured the Big Ten title in the men’s weight throw on Friday afternoon, launching a 2026 world-leading 25.66-meter mark at the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Johnson’s mark not only set a new school record but also shattered the collegiate, meet, and facility records. He now ranks third all-time among American weight throwers and fourth in history overall. The previous Big Ten record of 25.58 meters was set by Michael Lihrman of Wisconsin in 2015.

“We had a terrific day, led by Ryan and his dominant performance in the weight throw, not only winning the title, but setting the facility, Big Ten and NCAA record in the process,” Iowa Track and Field Director Joey Woody said. “He is an amazing competitor and has stamped his name as one of the all-time greats in the history of the NCAA.”

“I’m extremely proud of Ryan today,” Associate Head Coach Ray Robinson said. “He went out and executed the plan. A collegiate record is an unbelievable achievement. It’s a goal we knew he could accomplish and to see it done at the Big Ten Championships makes it even sweeter.” 

Sophomore Emmanuel Njoku earned Big Ten Second-Team honors in the men’s long jump, soaring 7.86 meters and winning the silver medal.

“I don't have words to explain what Emmanuel has done this year coming off his ACL tear and surgery only 10 months ago,” Woody added. “He had a huge jump on his first attempt and kept building from there, finishing with a big final jump to claim second place for the second consecutive indoor championship.”

Senior Sal Capaldo finished the heptathlon with a personal-best 5,670 points, earning fourth place on the podium. The total ranks fifth all-time at Iowa. He carried his momentum from day one into the final day, finishing third in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.23 seconds. In the pole vault, he cleared 4.50 meters to place fourth and, in the final event, ran a lifetime-best 2:44.76 in the 1,000 meters.

“Sal had an incredible two days in the heptathlon setting himself up with a very good hurdle race and pole vault going into the 1,000 meters,” Woody added. “He finished just one second away from finishing top three in the overall points, while adding another five points for the team.”

The Hawkeyes dominated the men’s 60-meter prelims, qualifying all three athletes to the finals. Darwin Jimenez led the way, setting a facility record of 6.55 seconds to win his heat and place second overall. Kalen Walker also claimed a heat victory in 6.58, while Jordan Gross matched his personal best of 6.65 to qualify on time.

“Darwin and Kalen both executed well to win their heats and qualify to the final,” Woody said. “Jordan had a great start and a huge finish to get a time qualifier and make his second Big Ten final in his first championship.”

In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, Vaughn DeVaughn III secured a personal-best and heat win to move to fifth all-time at Iowa. Vaughn finished second overall. Blake Nyenati took fourth place overall in 7.74 to advance to the finals. On the women’s side, junior Dymonde Nave secured a lane in the finals finishing in 8.37.

“The men's sprinters and hurdlers had great races to qualify multiple athletes to the finals,” Woody added. “Vaughn shot out like a rocket and ran away from the field to a huge breakout performance today. Blake had a very solid race and did enough to make the finals. He’s in a great spot and has a lot more left in the tank. Dymonde had a great start and competed extremely well to qualify for her first Big Ten final.”

Advancing to the women’s 400-meter finals, sophomore Chioma Nwachukwu clocked a 52.97 to finish fifth overall.

“We had a lot of athletes miss the finals by one or two spots, which shows how competitive this conference is and how every millisecond or inch matters in the championships,” Woody said. “I’m very proud of how well the men and women all competed today and I’m very excited to see what we can do on Saturday.”

The Hawkeyes concluded day two of competition at the Big Ten Indoor Championships with seven finals qualifiers. The men’s team holds second place with 23 points.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes conclude action at the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday with competition set to begin at 10:30 a.m. (CT).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 60 Meters Prelims
2. Darwin Jimenez - 6.55, Q, Facility Record
3. Kalen Walker - 6.58, Q
8. Jordan Gross - 6.65, q, =PR

Women’s 60 Meters Prelims
12. Holly Duax - 7.41

Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
2. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 7.68, Q, PR + 5th at Iowa
4. Blake Nyenati - 7.74, Q
12. Tyler Kenaga - 8.00

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
7. Dymonde Nave - 8.37, q
9. Jailya Ash - 8.44
14. Carlee Rochford - 8.57
16. Isabel Evans - 8.64
17. Natalie Harris - 8.65

Men’s 400 Meters Prelims
10. Landon Fontenot - 46.77
12. Austin Rowswell - 46.85, PR
17. Tyrese Miller - 47.15
23. David Akhalu - 48.01

Women’s 400 Meters Prelims
5. Chioma Nwachukwu - 52.97, q
10. Olicia Lucas - 53.77
11. Izzy Zahn - 53.84

Men’s 800 Meters Prelims
19. Derek Leicht - 1:50.42, PR
26. Ryan Schreiner - 1:53.49

Women’s 800 Meters Prelims
23. Rosemary Arthur - 2:11.00
26. Caila Lyons - 2:12.87
29. Clare Kelly - 2:17.24

Men’s Mile Prelims
22. Carson Lane - 4:10.58
27. Owen Wolfe - 4:15.56

Women’s Mile Prelims
23. Jalyssa Blazek - 4:51.92, PR
24. Julia Gehl - 4:52.19

Men’s Long Jump
2. Emmanuel Njoku - 7.86 meters (25’ 9.5”)

Women’s Long Jump
15. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 5.90 meters (19’ 4.25”)

Men’s Weight Throw
1. Ryan Johnson - 25.66 meters (84’ 2.25”), PR + 1st at Iowa, Collegiate Record, Meet + Facility Record
10. Austin Busch - 20.59 meters (67’ 6.75”)
12. Sean Smith - 20.01 meters (65’ 7.75”)
21. Walker Whalen - 18.51 meters (60’ 8.75”)

Women’s Weight Throw
25. Peyton Wilson - 18.28 meters (59’ 11.75”)

Men’s Heptathlon
4. Sal Capaldo - 5,670 points, PR + 5th at Iowa

4. 60 Meters - 7.03
6. Long Jump - 7.09 meters (23’ 3.25”)
10. Shot Put - 12.17 meters (39’ 11.25”)
2. High Jump - 2.04 meters (6’ 8.25), PR
3. 60-meter Hurdles - 8.23 
4. Pole Vault - 4.50 meters (14’ 9”)
6. 1,000 Meters - 2:44.76, PR