Iowa State track and field is coming off a successful end to its regular season after a strong showing on senior night at the Cyclone Twilight.
In the recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll, the Cyclones have two top-25 teams. The women’s outdoor team ranks No. 18 in the country, while the men’s outdoor team ranks No. 24. The Cyclones now set their sights on postseason competition, beginning with the Big 12 Outdoor Championships from Thursday through Saturday.
The championships will be hosted in Tucson, Arizona, on the campus of the University of Arizona. Temperatures Thursday and Friday are expected to reach 96 degrees, with heat indexes climbing near 100. Hydration will be crucial for athletes competing in the meet.
Both the men’s and women’s teams appear to be peaking at the right time entering postseason competition.
The men’s distance medley relay team highlighted the final day of the Drake Relays with a winning time of 9 minutes, 40.73 seconds. The relay team consisted of senior Emanuel Galdino, senior Sam Austin, freshman Jailan Sohna and junior Devan Kipyego, and marked Iowa State’s first victory in the event at the Drake Relays since 2021.
At the Texas A&M Alumni Muster, senior Rachel Joseph continued her dominant outdoor season by breaking two school records. Joseph won the women’s 400-meter race in 50.55 seconds and later broke the 200-meter record with a time of 23.21 seconds.
Most recently, the Cyclones hosted the Cyclone Twilight and honored their seniors.
Senior Alec Carr broke a 29-year-old school record in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.48 seconds.
The Cyclones will not only be chasing podium finishes and conference points, but also stronger marks for NCAA West Preliminary qualification. The top 48 athletes in each region advance to the NCAA West Preliminary Round, making the conference meet another opportunity for competitors to improve their rankings ahead of postseason competition.
The NCAA West Preliminary Round will take place May 27-30 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Fans can watch live coverage of the Big 12 Outdoor Championships on ESPN+.
