Johnson Takes National Lead with Program Record at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. –  University of Iowa track and field junior Ryan Johnson shattered his own program record with a 77.64-meter throw to secure the hammer throw title at the Big Red Classic on Friday afternoon.

The Springboro, Ohio, native took the national lead with the fifth throw of his series. Johnson had two throws sail over his previous personal best. 

Iowa’s entire hammer throw group performed well in Lincoln. Tate Joens made his Iowa debut and finished third with a personal best of 67.74 meters. Joens entered the program’s top-10 list at No. 4 with that attempt. Sean Smith (65.54 meters) and Austin Busch (64.15 meters) finished fifth and seventh, respectively. 

“We had some terrific results across the country, starting with the men’s and women’s hammer at Nebraska,” said Director of Iowa Track and Field Joey Woody. “Ryan continued his amazing season with another school record and NCAA-leading mark today, while beating a great field. Tate had a stellar day in his opening meet in an Iowa uniform. Sean had a solid series of throws and I was excited to see Austin get back on track with a great competition and hitting over 64 meters again.”

In the women’s hammer throw, Peyton Wilson and Josephine Flynt turned in strong performances and finished within the top 10. Wilson placed sixth at 59.19 meters with a personal best and Iowa’s eighth-best throw in program history. Flynt made her collegiate debut and launched a 56.98-meter throw. 

“Peyton and Josephine both had great meets with a huge PR by Peyton,” Woody continued. “She is inching her way closer to the 60-meter mark. Josephine competed very well as a true freshman in her first meet as a Hawkeye.”

At the Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, freshman Jordan Gross used a personal record of 20.81 to place 15th in the men’s 200-meter invite. Senior Holly Duax matched her personal best of 23.18 in the women’s 200 meter invite. Duax placed 22nd. Alexandria Edison ran 23.66 in the 200 meter collegiate race.

Freshman David Akhalu recorded a personal-best time of 20.94 to finish second in the collegiate men’s 200 meters. Senior Zidane Brown followed closely behind, placing fourth in 20.98. 

In the invite of the men’s 400-meter hurdles, senior Prior Ochonogor climbed Iowa’s all-time list with a 49.83 lifetime best. He moved to sixth all-time at Iowa. Jaylin Holmes and Nicholas Gorsich turned in solid performances in the men’s 400-meter hurdle open. Holmes clocked a 51.59 and placed sixth, while Gorsich ran 52.46 and finished 11th. Ali Frandsen was 12th in the women’s edition and finished in 59.84.

“At Florida, I was very pleased with how Prior raced today in the 400 hurdles, setting a new best while at Iowa and moving up the all-time top 10 list,” Woody stated. “Alex and Holly both ran great and right at their PR’s. They are very close to a big breakthrough.  Holly is very close to putting a 22-second race together. David executed his race very well to win his heat and set another PR in the 200. Jordan had another great race in the 200 to hit another outdoor PR.”

In the field, Emmanuel Njoku put together another good series in the long jump. After fouling on his first two attempts, Njoku cleared 7.25 meters in each of his final three attempts and stuck a 7.67-meter mark to place eighth. He finished fourth among collegiate competitors. 

At the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, Iowa’s women’s 800 group updated two spots on the program’s all-time list. Leanna Lewis jumped to second with a 2:03.24 lifetime best that earned her an eighth-place finish. Rosemary Arthur moved up the list to fifth with her new best of 2:04.47. Additionally, Gabby Cortez ran 2:03.93 to claim 14th. Clare Kelly and Caila Lyons posted career bests. 

In the men’s 800 invite, Terrick Johnson rose to seventh in school history with a 1:47.71 personal best. He finished seventh overall in a crowded field. Ryan Schreiner and Caleb Levy ran sub-1:50, while Carson Lane and Derek Leicht notched new bests.

“The men’s and women’s 800 group had a great day at the Bryan Clay Invitational today,” Woody added. “Leanna Lewis hit a big PR and moved her way up the all-time top 10 list. Gabby had another great performance right at her lifetime best in a technical race that will set her up well during championship season. Rosemary also had a great race, winning her heat and setting a new PR. Clare and Caila competed hard today and came away with PR’s. The men were led by a huge PR performance by Terrick Johnson, who had a great kick to run down the field and almost win his heat. Caleb and Ryan both broke 1:50 again and are just a few more races away from running 1:47. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow across the country.”

Iowa set three lifetime bests in the men’s 800 meters. Spencer Alf, Carson Houg and Armaan Chopra picked up personal bests in section two. Alf ran 1:52.29 and placed 19th, while Houg crossed the line in 1:52.32 and secured 20th. Chopra posted a new best in 1:54.65.

Up Next: Iowa concludes action at all meets on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (CT).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Tom Jones Memorial
Men’s 200 Meters Collegiate
2. David Akhalu - 20.94, PR
4. Zidane Brown - 20.98
23. Landon Fontenot - 21.46

Men’s 200 Meters Invite
15. Jordan Gross - 20.81, PR

Women’s 200 Meters Collegiate
17. Alexandria Edison - 23.66
55. Olicia Lucas - 24.79

Women’s 200 Meters Invite
22. Holly Duax - 23.18, =PR

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles Collegiate
6. Jaylin Holmes - 51.59
11. Nicholas Gorsich - 52.46

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles Invite
10. Prior Ochonogor - 49.83, PR + 6th at Iowa
30. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 52.20

Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles Collegiate
12. Ali Frandsen - 59.84

Men’s High Jump Collegiate
17. Sal Capaldo - 1.91 meters (6’ 3.25”)

Men’s Long Jump Collegiate
20. Sal Capaldo - 6.85 meters (22’ 5.75”)

Women’s Long Jump
16. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 5.80 meters (19’ 0.5”)

Men’s Long Jump Invite
8. Emmanuel Njoku - 7.67 meters (25’ 2”)

Big Red Classic
Men’s Hammer Throw
1. Ryan Johnson - 77.64 meters (254’ 9”), PR + 1st at Iowa
3. Tate Joens - 67.74 meters (222’ 3”), PR + 4th at Iowa
5. Sean Smith - 65.54 meters (215’ 0”)
7. Austin Busch - 64.15 meters (210’ 5”)
20. Walker Whalen - 56.63 meters (185’ 9”)

Women’s Hammer Throw
6. Peyton Wilson - 59.19 meters (194’ 2”), PR + 8th at Iowa
8. Josephine Flynt - 56.98 meters (186’ 11”)

Bryan Clay Invite
Men’s 800 Meters Invite
7. Terrick Johnson - 1:47.71, PR + 7th at Iowa
64. Ryan Schreiner - 1:49.76
69. Caleb Levy - 1:49.93
74. Carson Lane - 1:50.07, PR
84. Derek Leicht - 1:50.73, PR

Men’s 800 Meters Section 2
19. Spencer Alf - 1:52.29, PR
20. Carson Houg - 1:52.32, PR
76. Armaan Chopra - 1:54.65, PR

Women’s 800 Meters Invite
8. Leanna Lewis - 2:03.24, PR + 2nd at Iowa
14. Gabby Cortez - 2:03.93
20. Rosemary Arthur - 2:04.47, PR + 5th at Iowa
58. Caila Lyons - 2:07.37, PR
62. Clare Kelly - 2:07.59, PR

Women’s 800 Meters Section 2
41. Lily Johannes - 2:13.79

Men’s 5,000 Meters Section 2
16. Elias Arbuckle - 14:26.98 

Men’s 5,000 Meters Section 3
27. Ethan Eichhorn - 14:39.32

Women’s 5,000 Meters Section 2
40. Rowan Boulter - 17:19.65, PR