Iowa Wins 10 Titles at Rittgers Invite

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The University of Iowa track and field team captured 10 event titles at the Rittgers Invitational on Wednesday afternoon.

“We had a great evening of competition tonight at Coe,” said Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody. “It was a beautiful day and our athlete took advantage of it with multiple PR’s and season bests.”

In the men’s 100 meters, senior Kalen Walker earned gold in 10.13, while senior Jaylin Holmes clocked a 10.33 to finish second. Senior Vaughn DeVaughn III crossed the line in 10.58, which was a personal best for the Baltimore, Maryland, native.

In the men’s 110-meter hurdles, junior Blake Nyenati led the Hawkeyes with a first-place finish in 13.88. Redshirt sophomore Will Davidson placed second in 14.88, while Tyler Kenaga finished sixth in 15.71.

“On the track it was fun to see Kalen open his outdoor season with a great wind-legal time,” Woody continued. “We focused on executing the first 30-40 meters and then he kept his rhythm very smooth through the finish. That’s a great sign of where he’s at and what’s to come over these next few races. I was excited to see Jaylin run a wind-legal 10.33, which is his first open 100-meter race since he was 16 years old. He came back with an outdoor PR in the 200, which shows his versatility as he prepares for the 400 hurdles at Drake.”

Sophomore Landon Fontenot highlighted the men’s 200 meters with a first-place finish and personal best of 20.83. Holmes and senior Sal Capaldo each clocked 21.04 to finish second and third, respectively, while DeVaughn III placed fourth in a lifetime-best 21.06. Junior Arianna Williams recorded her first event win of the season in the women’s 400 meters, clocking a 55.56 to take the title.

“Landon was another huge highlight,” Woody added. “He led the group with a huge wind-legal PR in the 200. That will set him up well in the 400 over the next few weeks.”

Off the track, senior Sean Smith secured gold in the men’s hammer throw with a mark of 66.40 meters. Redshirt junior Austin Busch followed closely in second with a 64.67-meter effort. Senior Walker Whalen rounded out the top four for the Hawkeyes with a throw of 56.11 meters. On the women’s side, redshirt sophomore Peyton Wilson led the Hawkeyes with a facility-record mark of 58.94 meters to take the title. Freshman Josephine Flynt recorded a lifetime best 58.59-meter throw to finish second.

Freshman Lovisa Ulvenstam claimed the women’s long jump title with a 5.90-meter leap, just shy of her personal best. She later added a second victory in the women’s 200 meters, finishing in 24.44. Teammate Ali Frandsen followed closely in 24.49.

“Sean and Austin both had great performances today in the hammer to set themselves up well going into Drake,” Woody said. “Peyton and Josephine both had great days. Josephine had a massive personal best and Peyton backed up her great performance from last weekend. Lovisa had a great day winning the long jump and the 200 meters. It was her first 200 of the year and a huge all-time PR.”

The Hawkeyes went one-two in the men’s discus, led by sophomore Bryce Ruland’s winning throw of 54.66 meters. Redshirt sophomore Duke Faley placed second with a mark of 50.52 meters. 

Sophomore Landon Prince secured the men’s shot put title with a 16.65-meter throw.

In the men’s pole vault, Capaldo was the top collegiate finisher, clearing 4.40 meters to place second overall.

“Overall, it was a great evening for our athletes and I am happy we had an opportunity to compete in great weather in a low-key, but fun atmosphere,” Woody concluded.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes begin competition on Thursday at the Drake Relays in Des Moines.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 100 Meters
1. Kalen Walker - 10.13
2. Jaylin Holmes - 10.33
4. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 10.58, PR
10. Blake Nyenati - 10.87
24. Tyler Kenaga - 11.39

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles
1. Blake Nyenati - 13.88
2. Will Davidson - 14.88
6. Tyler Kenaga - 15.71

Men’s 200 Meters
1. Landon Fontenot - 20.83, PR
2. Jaylin Holmes - 21.04
3. Sal Capaldo - 21.04
4. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 21.06, PR

Women’s 200 Meters
1. Lovisa Ulvenstam - 24.44
2. Ali Frandsen - 24.49

Women’s 400 Meters
1. Arianna Williams - 55.56

Men’s Discus
1. Bryce Ruland - 54.66 meters (179’ 4”)
2. Duke Faley - 50.52 meters (165’ 9”)
12. Sal Capaldo - 37.12 meters (121’ 9”)
22. Will Davidson - 31.37 meters (102’ 11”)

Men’s Hammer Throw
1. Sean Smith - 66.40 meters (217’ 10”)
2. Austin Busch - 64.67 meters (212’ 2”)
4. Walker Whalen - 56.11 meters (184’ 1”)

Women’s Hammer Throw
1. Peyton Wilson - 58.94 meters (193’ 4”), Facility Record
2. Josephine Flynt - 58.59 meters (192’ 3”), PR + 10th at Iowa

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

Men’s High Jump
4. Will Davidson - 1.85 meters (6’ 0.75”)

Men’s Pole Vault
2. Sal Capaldo - 4.40 meters (14’ 5.25”)

Men’s Shot Put
1. Landon Prince - 16.65 meters (54’ 7.50”)