Iowa, Nebraska and Oregon Collect Weekly Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Awards
Hawkeyes’ Johnson and Huskers’ Strachan join Ducks’ Birnbaum and Smith with honors
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for the week of April 15-22, 2026.
Track Athlete of the Week
Simeon Birnbaum, Oregon
Junior – Sprints – Rapid City, S.Dak. – Major: Business Administration
- Ran 3:31.69 to break the collegiate record for the 1500m at the Oregon Team Invitational
- His time ranks No. 3 in the world this year, and knocked more than a second off the previous mark
- Named Co-USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week on Monday
- Birnbaums’ second Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week award this season. Last: April 8, 2026
Co-Field Athletes of the Week
Ryan Johnson, Iowa
Junior – Throws – Springboro, Ohio – Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Won the hammer throw Big Red Classic title
- Set a PR and school record of 77.64m (254-9)
- His mark leads the Big Ten is No. 2 in the NCAA
- Johnson’s second Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week award. Last: April 15, 2026
Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska
Junior – Javelin – Nassau, Bahamas – Major: Child, Youth & Family Studies
- Won the javelin Big Red Classic title
- Set a PR and school record of 81.86m (268-7)
- His mark leads the Big Ten and is No. 2 in the NCAA
- Strachan’s second Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week award. Last: April 15, 2026
Freshman of the Week
Ben Smith, Oregon
Freshman – Throws – Fremont, Wis. – Major: Undeclared
- Won shot put and discus at the Oregon Team Invitational
- His shot-put mark is a Big Ten best and second-best in the nation
- Smith is also now the No. 4 performer on the UO outdoor list
- Smith’s second Outdoor Freshman of the Week Award. Last: April 8, 2026
2026 Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week
March 25
Track: Prior Ochonogor, IOWA
Field: Emmanuel Njoku, IOWA/Brian O’Sullivan, RU
Freshman: John Caleb, MINN
April 1
Track: Ajani Dwyer, PSU
Field: Racquil Broderick, USC
Freshman: Hencu Lamberts, NEB
April 8
Track: Simeon Birnbaum, ORE/Ajani Dwyer, PSU
Field: James Rhoads, WASH
Freshman: Ben Smith, ORE
April 15
Track: Samuel Vessat, Purdue
Field: Ryan Johnson, IOWA/Keyshawn Strachan, NEB
Freshman: Quincy Isaac, MICH
April 22
Track: Simeon Birnbaum, ORE
Field: Ryan Johnson, IOWA/Keyshawn Strachan, NEB
Freshman: Ben Smith, ORE