EUGENE, Ore. – University of Iowa track and field senior sprinter Kalen Walker became an individual Big Ten champion for the first time in his career on Sunday, winning the 100 meters in 10.17 at Hayward Field.

The native of Eddyville, Iowa, led wire-to-wire and held off USC’s Eddie Nketia (10.18) to win the title. The win gained the Iowa men 10 team points.

“Kalen had a rocket start, stayed patient and drove the entire way,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “He maintained his rhythm all the way through the tape to win his first individual Big Ten title while beating a stellar field of sprinters. It was a truly amazing moment for him after battling through a lot of injuries over the last couple years.”

Walker became Iowa’s fifth champion in the 100 meters and first since Justin Austin was crowned in 2013. He joins two-time champion George Page (1995-96), Tim Dwight (1999) and Austin as a 100-meter Big Ten champion. Walker’s 10.17 finish was the second-fastest among the Hawkeye winners in the event.

The Iowa men placed seventh with 59 points. The women scored 47 points and finished in eighth place. Oregon won the men’s title at its home facility, while USC claimed the women’s championship.

“It was a crazy, up and down weekend for both teams as most championships go,” Woody said. “I am extremely proud of how our men and women competed all three days. We battled through unfortunate events on the women’s side with a disqualification in the 4×100 relay and the 400 meters, but we finished with five medalists. It was a total team effort this weekend and I am proud of our staff and athletes.”

Sophomore Kai Graves-Blanks locked in a second-place finish in finals of the 110-meter hurdles with a personal best of 13.51, improving the seventh-fastest time in school history. The native of Upland, California, earned second-team all-Big Ten honors. Graves-Blanks took a significant jump as a sophomore, improving on his seventh-place finish in 2024 as a freshman.

“Kai kept his composure after a tough start and was really moving over the last five hurdles,” said Woody. “He came off the last hurdle just a little off balance, otherwise I think he would’ve been right there to win it.”

Iowa performed well in the 4×400-meter relays, earning silver medals on both sides. The women’s quartet posted the program’s fourth-fastest time in its runner-up finish of 3:31.54. Alivia Williams, Damaris Mutunga, Olicia Lucas and Chioma Nwachukwu were neck and neck with powerhouse USC for the entire race. The Hawkeyes’ 4×400-meter relay team placed second in a tightly contested race, ultimately finishing behind Ohio State. Landon Fontenot, Tyrese Miller, Terrick Johnson and Zidane Brown wrapped up the final in 3:04.63. Iowa and Ohio State fought for inside position at the final exchange, where the Buckeyes pulled ahead.

“The men’s and women’s 4×400 relays competed exceptionally well today and came up a bit short of winning both relays. They both have a lot more in the tank and will be battling to make the NCAA finals,” Woody added.

In the field, the Hawkeye women finished third in the triple jump, high jump and javelin. Sophomore Daniela Wamokpego hit the 13.36-meter mark, achieving a personal best and tying second all-time at Iowa. Teammate Jeanne Le Goff picked up a sixth-place finish at 12.93 meters. In the high jump, freshman Maria Arboleda jumped 1.81 meters, while Lizzy Korczak claimed the bronze in the javelin at 55.25 meters. The group picked up 21 points for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa’s men’s 4×100 relay team placed fourth and set the fourth-fastest time in school history. The quartet of Jaylin Holmes, Kalen Walker, Joe Stein and Brown circled the track in a season-best 39.13 to score five key points for the men’s team.

In the women’s 800 meters, senior Alli Bookin-Nosbisch earned her place on the podium with a fourth place finish. The Ottumwa, Iowa native clocked in at 2:05.12

The Hawkeyes flooded the finals in the men’s 400 meters and were ultimately led by Fontenot, who finished sixth in a personal-best 46.12. Tyrese Miller (46.46) and Josh Pugh (47.04) followed in seventh and ninth, respectively.

Junior Wisdom Williams recorded a personal best in the women’s shot put throwing 16.19 meters and finishing tenth. This mark secures her fourth all-time at Iowa.

Senior Lia Love competed in the finals of the 100 (11.48) and 200 (23.75) meters on Sunday, placing ninth in both events.

Freshman Elena Torres posted a lifetime best in the women’s 5,000 meters, crossing the line in 16:27.85 and finishing 19th overall.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes prepare for the NCAA First Rounds, hosted by Texas A&M in College Station from May 28-31.

HAWKEYE RESULTS 
Men’s 100 Meters Final
1. Kalen Walker – 10.17

Women’s 100 Meters Final
9. Lia Love – 11.48

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles Final
2. Kai Graves-Blanks – 13.51, PR, 7th at Iowa

Women’s 200 Meters Final
9. Lia Love – 23.75

Men’s 400 Meters Final
6. Landon Fontenot – 46.12, PR
7. Tyrese Miller – 46.46
9. Josh Pugh – 47.04

Women’s 400 Meters Final
3. Damaris Mutunga – 52.20

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles Final
5. Isaac Lewis – 51.69

Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles Final
7. Ali Frandsen – 1:00.32
8. Claire Kohler – 1:00.46

Women’s 800 Meters Final
4. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch – 2:05.12

Men’s 5,000 Meters Final
33. Brayden Burnett – 14:25.28

Women’s 5,000 Meters Final
19. Elena Torres – 16:27.85, PR
34. Miriam Sandeen – 17:09.03
35. Jalyssa Blazek – 17:10.07

Men’s 4×100 Relay Final
4. Holmes, Walker, J. Stein, Brown – 39.13, 4th at Iowa

Women’s 4×100 Relay Final
14. Duax, Lucas, Al. Williams, Love – 47.97

Men’s 4×400 Relay Final
2. Landon Fontenot, Tyrese Miller, Terrick Johnson, Zidane Brown – 3:04.63

Women’s 4×400 Relay Final
2. Alivia Williams, Damaris Mutunga, Olicia Lucas, Chioma Nwachukwu – 3:31.54, 4th at Iowa

Women’s Javelin Final
3. Lizzy Korczak – 55.25 meters (181’ 3”)

Men’s Triple Jump Final
12. Precious Irivi – 14.48 meters (47’ 6.25”)

Women’s Triple Jump Final
3. Daniela Wamokpego – 13.36 meters, PR + tied 2nd at Iowa
6. Jeanne Le Goff – 12.93 meters

Men’s Discus Final
13. Duke Faley – 53.15 meters (174’ 4”)
19. Bryce Ruland – 50.75 meters (166’ 6”)

Women’s High Jump Final
3. Maria Arboleda – 1.81 meters (5’ 11.25”)

Women’s Shot Put Final
10. Wisdom Williams – 16.19 meters (53’ 1.50”), PR, 4th at Iowa