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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Iowa track and field junior Ryan Johnson booked his spot at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, with his third-place finish in the hammer throw at the NCAA First Rounds on Wednesday.
Johnson punched his ticket to Eugene by starting his series with a 74.15-meter throw. At the time, the throw broke a facility record that dated back to 2008. The mark proved to be Johnson’s best of the day. The junior from Springboro, Ohio, will return to Eugene for the second-straight season after placing sixth a year ago.
“I thought the men had a very successful day overall," Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. "Ryan got things started with a great round one throw to punch his ticket to Eugene. He is building momentum towards a great NCAA Championship final."
Darwin Jimenez opened the 100 meters with a 10.23 in heat one to grab an automatic qualifying spot to Friday’s quarterfinals. In the 110-meter hurdles, Vaughn DeVaughn III advanced to the quarters on time with a 13.76 finish. The senior finished 22nd overall.
“Darwin ran a very competitive race today in the 100 meters,” Woody added. “He’s had some ups and downs the last few weeks, but he’s definitely rounding into form at the right time of the season. I’m very excited to see what he can do in the quarterfinal round on Friday. I thought Vaughn also had a good race in the 110 hurdles. He got out with a great start and closed very well to move on with a time-qualifying mark in Friday’s quarterfinals.”
Elsewhere on the track, Iowa picked up three automatic qualifiers. In the 200 meters, freshman Jordan Gross continued his strong freshman campaign with a big Q in 20.74. David Akhalu earned Iowa’s best placing on the track, finishing seventh in the 400 meters in 45.51. Prior Ochonogor pushed through to the quarters with a 50.40 time in the 400-meter hurdles. All three Hawkeyes will head to Friday’s quarterfinals.
“Jordan ran an amazing first 100 to come off the curve with a ton of momentum, which set him up to finish strong and win his heat to qualify to the quarterfinal round,” said Woody. “He’s in a great spot going into Friday. David ran an exceptional first 300 meters and hung on for second in his heat to get an auto Q to Friday. He’s been super consistent these past few weeks and is really performing with a lot of confidence now. Prior ran a terrific race from start to finish to win his heat and move on. He’s in a great position going into Friday.”
The Hawkeyes narrowly missed on sending more to the next round. Caleb Levy put up a strong effort in the 800 meters and finished 27th in 1:48.42. In the field events, seniors Sean Smith and Austin Busch earned top-25 finishes in the hammer throw. Smith wrapped up his career with a 63.13-meter toss, while Busch fired a 62.45-meter mark. In his first outdoor season, Emmanuel Njoku placed 17th in the long jump at 7.53 meters.
“I’m extremely proud of all of our athletes who qualified to this meet and just didn’t have enough to reach the next round,” Woody noted. “Our seniors Austin, Sean, Kalen, Terrick and Zidane have all been huge contributors to our program and have scored a ton of points for this team at the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Championship meets throughout their careers. Zidane and Terrick still have an opportunity to help the 4x4 relay qualify to the NCAA finals and we are hoping to get Kalen back for the 4x1 relay.”
Up Next: First round action continues on Thursday with day one of the women’s competition at John McDonnell Field. The hammer throw starts at 9:30 a.m. (CT), while running events begin at 6 p.m.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 100 Meters
14. Darwin Jimenez - 10.23, Q
Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles
22. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 13.76, q
33. Blake Nyenati - 13.98
Men’s 200 Meters
15. Jordan Gross - 20.74, Q
Men’s 400 Meters
7. David Akhalu - 45.51, Q
28. Tyrese Miller - 46.41
29. Landon Fontenot - 46.50
37. Zidane Brown - 46.82
44. Austin Rowswell - 47.58
Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles
9. Prior Ochonogor - 50.40, Q
35. Vaughn DeVaughn III - 51.59
36. Jaylin Holmes - 51.62
Men’s 800 Meters
27. Caleb Levy - 1:48.42
44. Terrick Johnson - 1:50.61
Men’s Hammer Throw
3. Ryan Johnson - 74.15 meters, q
19. Sean Smith - 63.13 meters
24. Austin Busch - 62.45 meters
30. Tate Joens - 61.08 meters
Men’s Long Jump
17. Emmanuel Njoku - 7.53 meters
Men’s Shot Put
26. Bryce Ruland - 18.03 meters