Five Men Punch Tickets to Nationals in Day Three

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Five Cyclones qualified for NCAA Championships in the final day of action for the men to total seven moving on to Eugene. Mikey McClain also reset his school record as he punched his ticket to nationals.

The duo of Joash Ruto and Quinton Orr advanced their way to NCAA Championships in the 3,000m steeplechase, both setting the stage for their first national appearance. Freshman Ruto won the second heat with 8:28.86 for the automatic advancement, while Orr's time of 8:39.13 in the first of three heats held up to nab the last time qualifier.

Ruto finished as the second fastest in the West while Orr took 10^th overall. Orr moves up to No. 7 in Iowa State history with her personal record. Iowa State advances two in the steeple to NCAA Championships for the first time.

In 800m quarterfinals, Dugion Blackman qualified for nationals with the fastest time qualifier of 1:47.13. Blackman had the seventh-fastest time overall through the three heats and will make his second NCAA Championships appearance. It will be his first appearance as a Cyclone and first since 2023.

Darius Kipyego just missed advancement taking 15^th with 1:47.91. Kipyego ends a historic Iowa State career as a three-time All-American, and ranked second in the outdoor 800m (1:45.40) and third in the indoor (1:46.56).

Mikey McClain then made history as the first Iowa State man since 1928 to qualify for NCAA Championships in the 200m (indoor or outdoor), and just the second ever. McClain cut .11 seconds off his school record set two weeks ago with a wind-legal 20.30, a top 20 time in the nation entering the week. McClain picked up the first of three time qualifiers and finished sixth overall.

Robin Kwemoi Bera was the fifth Cyclone to qualify on the day with his finish in the 5,000m. Bera clocked 13:26.71 in the humid 80-degree heat, a two-second PR to move up to fourth in Iowa State history.

In the 1,500m, Devan Kipyego got tripped up while running in the lead pack down the final straight and was unable to finish in qualifying position.

Tomorrow is the final day of competition at NCAA West Prelims as the women look to advance to Eugene. Iowa State's first event is the steeplechase quarterfinals at 5:40 p.m., and continue with the 400m, 800m, 5,000m and 4x400m.

Iowa State Men's NCAA Championships Qualifiers

Cam Jones (Shot Put); Rodgers Kiplimo (10,000m); Joash Ruto (3,000m Steeple), Quinton Orr (3,000m Steeple); Dugion Blackman (800m); Mikey McClain (200m); Robin Kwemoi Bera (5,000m)

Iowa State Results

Discus First Round (M): 1. Mykolas Alekna, Cal – 236-7 (72.12m); 32. Daniel Norris, Iowa State – 179-4 (54.67m)

High Jump (M): 1. Kyren Washington, Oklahoma – 7-1 1/2 (2.17m); 41. Braden Goellner, Iowa State – 6-8 1/4 (2.04m)

1,500 Quarterfinals (M): 1. Simeon Birnbaum, Oregon – 3:39.79; 24. Devan Kipyego, Iowa State – 3:54.96

3,000m Steeplechase (M): 1. Matthew Kosgei, New Mexico – 8:25.41; 2. Joash Ruto, Iowa State - 8:28.86; 10. Quinton Orr, Iowa State – 8:39.13 (PR, No. 7 ISU)

800m Quarterfinals (M): 1. Tyrice Taylor, Arkansas – 1:46.64; 7. Dugion Blackman, Iowa State – 1:47.13; 15. Darius Kipyego, Iowa State – 1:47.91

200m Quarterfinals: 1. Garret Kaalaund, USC – 19.85; 6. Mikey McClain, Iowa State – 20.30 (PR, No. 1 ISU)

5,000m Semifinals: 1. Matt Strangio, Portland – 13:25.98; 3. Robin Kwemoi Bera, Iowa State – 13:26.71 (PR, No. 4 ISU)

4x400m Relay Quarterfinals: 1. Arkansas – 3:02.13; 17. Iowa State (Langford, Koehnk, Da. Kipyego, Curcija) – 3:07.47

Players Mentioned

Robin Kwemoi Bera

Dugion Blackman

Braden Goellner

Cam Jones

Rodgers Kiplimo

Darius Kipyego

Devan Kipyego

Mikey McClain

Daniel Norris

Quinton Orr

Joash Ruto

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