By hawkeyesports.com

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Iowa’s men’s 4×400 relay placed fifth and earned first-team All-America honors on Friday night at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

The team of David Akhalu, Zidane Brown, Tyrese Miller and Landon Fontenot raced to a season-best 3:00.65 to set Iowa’s second-fastest time in school history. It is the 10th time in school history and second-straight season that the men’s 4×400 team has picked up first-team recognition.

Akhalu led the race off with a 45.94 split out of lane one, before handing off to Brown. Brown gained ground for the team with his 44.79 lap around the track. Miller was next, running the fastest leg of any Hawkeye in 44.64. Fontenot closed the race out in 45.30 and secured another All-American finish for Iowa’s relay.

“The men had an amazing finish to our season today, racing to a top-five finish in the 4×4 and No. 2 time all-time at Iowa,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody stated. “David had a terrific leadoff from lane one, getting out in a great position the first 250 meters and then had a huge kick to bring the stick in fast to Zidane in the top five at the exchange. Zidane got out fast through the first 100 and kept his position into the second curve. He built his momentum into the final straight with a great finish handing off to Tyrese in the top four to five teams. Tyrese got out hot and moved into the top four teams on the backstretch and was flying down the homestretch to give Landon the baton in the top three. Landon ran an incredible anchor with five teams coming after us and held on with a great kick to finish top five in one of the tightest 4×4 races I can remember.”

Iowa’s 4×400 team came in as the No. 19 seed and outplaced its seed by 14 spots. The four points scored added to the team tally and helped the Hawkeyes finish with 10 total points.

“All those guys fought for each other all season and were super hungry after not qualifying to the NCAA Indoor Championships,” Woody continued. “They used that as a huge motivation to come out here and have their three fastest times of the season these past couple of weekends.”

In his NCAA Championships debut, sophomore Bryce Ruland finished 21st in the discus. Ruland converted on two of his three throws and posted his best mark on his second attempt, firing the disc 57.22 meters.

“Bryce had a great second throw today that was one of his best all season,” Woody added. “He was starting to hit his rhythm, but just didn’t connect on his last throw. He had a great season and I know he is super motivated to get back to work and have a huge season next year.”

Up Next: Iowa’s women’s 4×400 takes center stage with the championship final at 9:21 p.m. (CT) on Saturday night at Hayward Field. Action will be televised on ESPN2.

Men’s 4×400 Relay Final
5. Akhalu, Brown, Miller, Fontenot – 3:00.65, 2nd at Iowa

Men’s Discus Throw Final
21. Bryce Ruland – 57.22 meters (187’ 9”)