Hawkeyes Open Outdoor Season in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – University of Iowa track and field opened its outdoor season with event titles in the javelin, long jump and 400-meter hurdles at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge on Friday afternoon.

Senior Lizzy Korczak started the day by winning the women’s javelin in Orlando for the second-straight season. She opened her outdoor campaign with a 52.06-meter throw to win the title.

In their outdoor debuts, freshmen Emmanuel Njoku and Lovisa Ulvenstam competed in the men’s and women’s long jump. Njoku secured the men’s title with a wind-aided mark of 7.95 meters, while Ulvenstam placed seventh in the women’s competition with a wind-aided leap of 5.91 meters.

“We had a great kickoff to our outdoor season today,” Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “Lizzy got things started with a great opening mark to win the women’s javelin and start her season on a high note. Emmanuel kept things going with a great wind-aided jump of 7.95 meters to win in a competitive field.”

Senior Prior Ochonogor opened his outdoor season with a strong first appearance as a Hawkeye, winning the men’s 400-meter hurdles in a personal-best 50.20 that ranks seventh all-time at Iowa. Senior Jaylin Holmes added a fourth-place finish in 51.59, while senior Vaughn DeVaughn III placed sixth with a time of 52.53. On the women’s side, junior Ali Frandsen also finished sixth, recording a time of 1:01.30.

“On the track today, the men were led by a huge performance and top-10 mark by Prior Ochonogor to win the 400-meter hurdles and set a new meet record,” Woody said. “Jaylin also had a great opening race and was just off his personal best. We are very excited about our 400-meter hurdle crew and are off to a great start coming off of the indoor season.”

In the women’s 200 meters, senior Holly Duax secured a sixth-place finish in 23.43, while senior Alexandria Edison clocked a personal-best 23.65 to place ninth. For the men, freshman Jordan Gross (20.91) and senior Zidane Brown (20.97) finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

The Hawkeyes saw strong performances in the hammer throw on both sides, highlighted by senior Sean Smith, who led the group with a second-place finish. He recorded a throw of 63.84 meters. Redshirt junior Austin Busch followed in third place at 61.05 meters, while senior Walker Whalen rounded out the group in 12th with a 53.76-meter throw. On the women’s side, redshirt sophomore Peyton Wilson posted a personal-best throw of 56.61 meters to place fifth.

Juniors Carson Lane (3:47.55) and Rosemary Arthur (4:25.87) each recorded personal bests in the 1,500 meters, finishing seventh and ninth, respectively.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes are back in action Saturday to wrap up the UCF Black & Gold Challenge. The first event begins at 9 a.m. CT. 

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 200 Meters
6. Jordan Gross - 20.91
7. Zidane Brown - 20.97
12. David Akhalu - 21.03
14. Landon Fontenot - 21.11
68. Tyler Kenaga - 23.16

Women’s 200 Meters
6. Holly Duax - 23.43
9. Alexandria Edison - 23.65, PR
66. Natalie Harris - 25.07
73. Jailya Ash - 25.32
80. Dymonde Nave - 25.59 
84. Isabel Evans - 25.95

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles
1. Prior Ochonogor - 50.20, PR + 7th at Iowa
4. Jaylin Holmes - 51.59
6. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 52.53

Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles
6. Ali Frandsen - 1:01.30

Men’s 1,500 Meters Invite
7. Carson Lane - 3:47.55, PR

Women’s 1,500 Meters Invite
9. Rosemary Arthur - 4:25.87, PR 
41. Grace Boleyn - 4:57.72

Men’s Hammer Throw
2. Sean Smith - 63.84 meters (209’ 5”)
3. Austin Busch - 61.05 meters (200’ 3”)
12. Walker Whalen - 53.76 meters (176’ 4”)

Women’s Hammer Throw
5. Peyton Wilson - 56.61 meters (185’ 8”), PR 

Men’s Javelin
15. Sal Capaldo - 37.58 meters

Women’s Javelin
1. Lizzy Korczak - 52.06 meters (170’ 9”), wind-aided

Women’s Long Jump
7. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 5.91 meters (19’ 4.75”)

Men’s Long Jump
1. Emmanuel Njoku - 7.95 meters (26’ 1”), wind-aided
15. Sal Capaldo - 6.94 meters (22’ 9.25”), wind-aided