Johnson, Walker Sweep USTFCCCA Men’s Regional Awards

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa’s Ryan Johnson and Kalen Walker were tabbed as Regional Athletes of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday afternoon.

Johnson earned the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Men’s Field Athlete of the Year honor. He wrapped up his junior campaign as the NCAA and Big Ten Champion in the weight throw. He won the program’s first-ever national title in the weight throw, firing a 25.64-meter mark in Fayetteville on March 13. Johnson unleashed his best throw of the season at the Big Ten Championships, clinching his second consecutive league title with a collegiate record of 25.66 meters. Additionally, the mark was a Big Ten Championships meet and facility record, while also setting the 2026 world lead.

In addition to this honor, Johnson took home the Big Ten Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year on Wednesday. He was named to the 2026 USTFCCCA Bowerman Watch List and was the organization’s Men's National Athlete of the Week on Feb. 9.

The Springboro, Ohio, native is Iowa’s first USTFCCCA Midwest Region Men’s Field Athlete of the Year honoree.

Walker was selected as the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year. He concluded his career on the indoor track as the Big Ten Champion in the 60 meters, while finishing third at the NCAA Championships. In the prelims of the 60 meters at the national meet, Walker improved his school record and ran a personal-best 6.50 to book a spot in the finals and secure first-team All-America status.

The native of Eddyville, Iowa, is the third Hawkeye to earn this distinction from the USTFCCCA. Sprinter Jenoah McKiver (2022) and mid-distance runner Rivaldo Marshall (2024) were the last Hawkeyes to be recognized for this award.

The Hawkeyes open outdoor season Friday at the UCF Black & Gold Invitational in Orlando.