While most of the Cyclones headed to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays, some headed out west to compete in either the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, California, or the Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona.
The Cyclones have great momentum going into both of these meets from their performances in prior meets.
In the women’s discus throw at the John McDonnell Invitational, Betty Rosvold placed first overall with a throw of 50.30 meters, and Kevin Sakson placed first overall in the men’s discus throw with a throw of 55.51 meters.
Gable Sieperda traveled to the Virginia Challenge, where he placed in the top-five overall in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a new personal best time of 8:26.58.
This performance from Sieperda broke the program record by five seconds and ranked fourth in the nation. Sieperda’s time also hit the automatic Olympic Trials qualifying standard.
The Cyclones will have to contend with some steep competition in the Payton Jordan Invitational, where they will be competing against the host team Standford. The Cardinal distance runners have been impressive so far this season and will look to continue their hot streak.
The Cyclones will also have to watch out for Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State started the year off slow, but in the past couple of meets has seen its distance runners step up.
According to Iowa State Athletics, Ezekiel Rop will compete in the 1,500-meter run, while Silas Winders will compete in the 5,000-meter at the event.
The Payton Jordan Invitational is not the only meet filled with challenging competition that the Cyclones will be attending.
The Desert Heat Classic has a loaded field as well with the host team Arizona, a team that has been a consistent force so far this season, placing high and winning multiple events in every meet it has competed in.
The Cyclones will also be put up against Arizona State, a team coming off a meet where it had two runners set new school records.
According to a list from Arizona Athletics, Sydney Willits will be competing in the high jump.
The Payton Jordan Invitational will take place Friday in Palo Alto, California, and the Desert Heat Classic will be Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.
