Iowa, Minnesota, and Rutgers Claim First Weekly Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Awards of the Season

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for the week of March 18^th-25^th, 2026.  

Track Athlete of the Week  
Prior Ochonogor, Iowa 
Senior – Hurdles – Benin City, Nigeria – Major: Open 

• Won the 400m hurdles at the UCF Invitational in 50.20 
• Currently holds the fastest time in the NCAA this season 
• His time was a PR and moved him onto Iowa’s all-time list at No. 7  
• Last Iowa Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week award: Kalen Walker (March 27, 2024) 

Co-Field Athletes of the Week 
Emmanuel Njoku, Iowa 
Freshman – Jumps – Benin City, Nigeria  – Major: Sociology 

• Won the long jump at the UCF Invite with a wind-aided 7.95m mark 
• His mark holds best in the NCAA so far this season 
• Last Iowa Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week award: Mike Stein (March 27, 2024) 

Brian O’Sullivan, Rutgers 
Junior – Pole Vault – Hillsborough, N.J.  – Major: Human Resource Management 

• Won the pole vault at the USF Alumni Invitational, clearing 5.55m (18-2 ½)   
• O’Sullivan set the outdoor school record in the event 
• His clearance is also tied for best in the country 
• Last Rutgers Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week award: Rudy Winkler (April 4, 2018) 

Freshman of the Week 
John Caleb, Minnesota 
Freshman – Sprints – Ogun State, Nigeria – Major: Undecided 

• Clocked two lifetimes best 100m performances 
• Won the Beach Opener (10.22) and finished second at the USF Alumni Invite (10.18) 
• Caleb’s time of 10.18 is good for third-best in the NCAA and in program history 
• Last Minnesota Outdoor Freshman of the Week Award: Precious Opinion (April 9, 2025) 

2026 Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week 
March 26 
Track: Prior Ochonogor, IOWA 
Field: Emmanuel Njoku, IOWA/Brian O’Sullivan, RU 
Freshman: John Caleb, MINN