2012 — Indoor – did not compete… Outdoor – placed sixth in high jump with a collegiate-best 6-11 1/2 (2.12m) at LSU Invite, which ranks seventh all-time at Iowa… qualified for NCAA West Preliminary in high jump… placed sixth in high jump at Drake Relays (6-10 3/4, 2.10m), seventh at Arkansas Spring Invite (6-9, 2.06m). .. letterwinner.
2011 — Indoor – posted a team-leading and season-best mark of 6-10 3/4 (2.10m) in high jump at Razorback Invite.. won high jump at Illinois Open (6-10 1/4, 2.09m)… Outdoor – posted season-best high jump (6-10 3/4, 2.10m) at Sun Angel Classic… placed 14th in high jump at NCAA West Regional (6-9, 2.06m), 12th at Drake Relays (6-8 3/4, 2.05m), third at LSU Invite (6-8 3/4, 2.05m) and 10th at Big Ten Championships (6-7, 2.01m)… letterwinner.
2010 — Indoor – posted a collegiate-best 6-11 (2.11m) high jump with a sixth-place finish at Big Ten Championships… one of three to hit that mark and led team… that mark ranks seventh all-time at Iowa… placed second in the high jump at the ISU Classic (6-9, 2.06m) and third at the Iowa Open (6-8 1/4, 2.04m)… Outdoor – led team in high jump with a collegiate-best 6-11 (2.11m) third-place finish at the Sun Angel Classic… this height ties for seventh all-time at Iowa… competed in high jump at NCAA West Regional (34th, 6-7, 2.01m)… placed third in the high jump at Musco Twilight XI (6-8 3/4, 2.05m)… letterwinner.
2009 — Indoor – placed 13th in high jump (6-7 1/2) at Big Ten Championships… posted season-best high jump of 6-9 1/2 at Iowa State Classic… won high jump against Illinois (6-8), placed second at Jack Johnson Classic (6-6 1/4) and fourth at Iowa Open (6-7 1/2)… Outdoor – won high jump with a season-best 6-8 3/4 at Lee Calhoun Memorial… that mark ranks 10th in school history… also competed in high jump at Big Ten Championships (6-7 1/2), Messersmith Invite (6-6 3/4) and Illinois Invite (6-6 3/4)… academic all-Big Ten… letterwinner.
2008 — Indoor – placed 16th in high jump (6-5) at Big Ten Championships… runner-up in high jump with season-best 6-8 1/4 at Iowa Invite… Outdoor – redshirted… letterwinner.
High School — two-time district high jump champion, winning conference title senior year… placed fourth at state meet senior year… coached by Chris Curry, Matt Weis and Bob Mudd… lettered three years in football and basketball… all-district senior year in football… three-time all-conference in basketball, leading state in rebounds and blocks senior year… played in Tri-Rivers all-star basketball game senior year.
Personal — born August 12, 1988… son of Chad and Lisa Steckel, and Ricardo Valdes… mother played basketball at Bradley… political science major.
| Valdes’ Collegiate Bests | |||
| Event | Mark | Meet | Date |
| High Jump (I) | 6-11 (2.11m) | at Big Ten Championships | 2/28/10 |
| High Jump (O) | 6-11 (2.121m) | at LSU Invitational | 4/7/12 |