Hawkeyes Send 9 to NCAA Meet

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field qualified nine student-athletes to the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Senior Kalen Walker and junior Ryan Johnson return to the NCAA Indoor Championships while junior Darwin Jimenez, sophomore Emmanuel Njoku and sophomore Chioma Nwachukwu make their indoor championship debuts. Iowa’s women’s 4x400 relay team of Gabby Cortez, Olicia Lucas, Damaris Mutunga and Alivia Williams also qualified to the national meet.

Walker, a senior from Eddyville, Iowa, became a three-time Big Ten champion after clocking a facility-record 6.54 to secure the gold in the 60 meters. He adds to his decorated Big Ten career, now winning the 60 meters along with the 100 meters and as part of the 4x100 relay.

Johnson, a junior from Springboro, Ohio, became a back-to-back Big Ten champion in the men’s weight throw after launching a 2026 world-leading 25.66-meter mark. 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.

Jimenez, a junior from Methuen, Massachusetts, qualified with a season-best time of 6.52 at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic. The time ranks second all-time at Iowa. He finished the 60 meters at the Big Ten Championships in 6.56, earning fourth place and helping lead the men’s team to a third-place finish. Earlier this season, he won the 60 meters at the Larry Wieczorek Invite in his Hawkeye debut (6.56).

Njoku, a sophomore from Benin City, Nigeria, earned Big Ten second-team honors in the men’s long jump, soaring 7.86 meters and winning the silver medal. Njoku earned second-team honors in consecutive seasons and was named to the Big Ten’s all-freshman team a season ago. His season-best mark was set at the Tyson Invite at 7.93 meters.

Nwachukwu, a sophomore from Asaba, Nigeria, earned Big Ten second-team honors as the runner-up in the women’s 400 meters after posting a personal-best finish of 51.67. The mark ranks second all-time in Iowa program history. Nwachukwu also anchored the 4x400-meter relay that placed second in 3:30.08. The time ranks second all-time at Iowa.

Iowa’s women’s 4x400 relay team of Gabby Cortez, Olicia Lucas, Damaris Mutunga and Alivia Williams are heading to the national meet after a qualifying time of 3:29.69 at the Tyson Invite. Lucas, Mutunga and Williams attended last season’s outdoor meet. Cortez will be making her national championships debut. Freshman Izzy Zahn and sophomore Chioma Nwachukwu will serve as alternates. 

The NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field Championships begin on Friday, March 13th and will continue March 14th.

HAWKEYES IN ACTION:
Darwin Jimenez - Men's 60 Meters
Friday, March 13 - 5:45 PM (Prelims)
Saturday, March 14 - 4:40 PM (Finals)

Kalen Walker - Men's 60 Meters
Friday, March 13 - 5:45 PM (Prelims)
Saturday, March 14 - 4:40 PM (Finals)

Ryan Johnson - Men’s Weight Throw
Friday, March 13 - 4:00 PM

Emmanuel Njoku - Men's Long Jump
Friday, March 13 - 7:00 PM

Chioma Nwachukwu - Women's 400 Meters
Friday, March 13 - 5:55 PM (Prelims)
Saturday, March 14 - 4:50 PM (Finals)

Women’s 4x400 Relay
Saturday, March 14 - 6:40 PM