Across the four-day NCAA West Preliminaries, Iowa State secured 11 entries to head to the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Eugene, Oregon.
Heading into the four-day event in College Station, Texas, the Cyclones had 32 entries, 19 of which were men participating in 12 events and 13 women participating in 10 events, according to Iowa State University Athletics. Out of the combined total of competitors, seven men and four women entries are heading to Eugene to finish the Track and Field season.
Men Qualifiers
According to the NCAA, on the first day of the four-day event, senior Cam Jones cemented the first qualifying spot for Iowa State. Participating in the shot put, Jones placed fifth with a season-best throw of 19.45 meters.
Following Jones was junior Rodgers Kiplimo, who placed eighth in the Men’s 10,000 meter Semifinal with a time of 28:19.84, proceeding to Nationals.
By the end of day one, alongside two secured qualifiers, Iowa State had four individuals advanced to the quarterfinals on day three.
On the third and final day of the men’s entries, Iowa State had five Cyclones qualify for nationals. Starting with the 3,000 meter steeplechase, where freshman Joash Ruto and junior Quinton Orr secured their spots for the NCAA Championship. Ruto placed first in his heat and second overall with a time of 8:28.86. Orr followed close behind with a time of 8:39.13, which placed him 10th overall.
Adding to the list of Iowa State qualifiers, senior Dugion Blackman placed seventh overall with a time of 1:47.13 in the 800 meter quarterfinals to head to nationals.
Alongside qualifying for nationals, sophomore Mikey McClain made history as he became the first Iowa State man to qualify for the 200 meter dash in the NCAA Championship since 1928, according to Iowa State University Athletics. McClain finished the 200 meter quarterfinals in sixth place with a time of 20.30 seconds.
To close out the third day of events, according to the NCAA, freshman Robin Kwemoi Bera participated in the 5,000 meter semifinals, securing a spot to nationals as he came in third overall with a time of 13:26.71.
Women Qualifiers
According to the NCAA, on the final day of the preliminaries, junior Rachel Joseph was the first woman to secure a spot in the NCAA Championship. Joseph placed second overall in the 400 meter dash with a time of 50.66 to become the second-fastest time in the west.
Shortly after Joseph, junior Makayla Clark will make her second national appearance as she placed second in her heat and fifth overall with a time of 2:01.75 in the 800 meter dash,
Later in the night, junior Maelle Porcher took home ninth overall in the 5,000 meter, with a time of 15:55.73, to move forward to the championship.
On the last event of the night, Iowa State established its 11th qualification during the 4×400 meter relay. As sophomore Brooklyn Sandvig, freshman Karynne David, Clark and Joseph secured sixth overall with a time of 3:29.68.
The 11 Cyclone qualifiers will head to Eugene, Oregon, for the 2025 NCAA Championship on Wednesday, June 11.
