Johnson Named B1G Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior Ryan Johnson was named the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, the conference announced on Wednesday.

The native of Springboro, Ohio, was crowned the NCAA Champion in the weight throw on March 13 and became Iowa’s first-ever champion in the event. Johnson’s winning mark of 25.64 meters was two centimeters from his personal best, which he set on Feb. 27 to win the Big Ten title. His 25.66-meter mark to win the conference crown was a collegiate, facility and meet record and catapulted Johnson into the 2026 world lead. He was thus named the Big Ten Field Athlete of the Championships.

Johnson is Iowa’s first-ever Big Ten Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year recipient. Jenoah McKiver was the program’s last conference athlete of the year, winning the indoor track honor in 2022.

In his junior campaign, Johnson was undefeated and broke the 24-meter barrier at eight of nine meets. He was named to the 2026 USTFCCCA The Bowerman Watch List and was selected as the USTFCCCA National Men’s Field Athlete of the Week on Feb. 9. Johnson became the No. 3 weight thrower in US history and No. 4 in the world this season.

The Hawkeyes open outdoor season on March 20 at the Black and Gold Invitational in Orlando.