Kalen Walker
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 October 2001 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)[1] |
| Weight | 140 lb (64 kg)[1] |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event | Sprint |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 60m: 6.51 (2024) 100m: 9.94 (2025) 200m: 20.94 (2023) |
Kalen Walker (born 13 October 2001) is an American sprinter. He broke the 10-second barrier with a wind-legal personal best time of 9.94 seconds in 2025, whilst competing for the University of Iowa.[2]
Early life
From the southeast of Iowa,[3] Walker attended Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont High School, although his final season at high school was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.[4] He attended Indian Hills Community College for a year, before attending the University of Iowa in 2021. He was a multi-sport athlete whilst at high school, and won state honours in American football and basketball, as well as athletics.[5][6]
Career
Competing for the University of Iowa, Walker was the runner-up in the 60 meters at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston, Massachusetts.[7] In June 2024, he reached the semi-finals of the 100 metres at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.[8] In the October of that year he was timed at 4.15 seconds for the 40-yard-dash.[9][7]
In May 2025, he won the Big Ten Conference 100 metres title in a time of 10.17 seconds.[10] Later that month he qualified for the NCAA Championships and broke the 10-second barrier with a wind-legal personal best of 9.94 seconds for the 100 metres at the West regional qualifiers (+1.1 m/s) in College Station, Texas.[11][12] He concluded his collegiate career with the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he was a semi-finalist in the 100 metres, and ended as a three-time All-American, two-time Big Ten champion and Iowa school record holder in the 60 metres, 100 metres, and in the 4x100 metres relay.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Kalen Walker '20 Recruiting Profile". NCSA Sports. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Kalen Walker". World Athletics. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ McGee, Caelan (August 5, 2025). "EBF alum, record holding Iowa sprinter returns to inspire next generation". KTVO. Retrieved 14 Jan 2026.
- ^ a b Becker, Dana (June 12, 2025). "Iowa sprinter Kalen Walker concludes storied career". Sporting News. Retrieved 14 Jan 2026.
- ^ Jackson, Scott (Aug 8, 2024). "Walker returns home". Ottumwa Courier. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Boulton, Mia (7 May 2024). "Sprinter Kalen Walker's home stretch as a Hawkeye". Daily Iowan. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ a b Ratliff, Laura (29 October 2024). "This College Sprinter from Iowa Blew Away the NFL Combine 40-Yard Dash Record". Runners World. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Eddyville's Kalen Walker makes it to semi-finals of US Olympic Trials". Albianews. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Snyder, Paul (October 30, 2024). "Bring Track And Field To The Field: How To Create Halftime Shows Using Track Events". Citiusmag.com. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ Maricle, Kelly (17 May 2025). "Golden Play of the Week: Big Ten title for Iowa sprinter". Who13.com. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Walker, 4×400 Book Trip to Nationals". bvmsports. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "NCAA Division I West First Rounds". Watch Athletics. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.