As Iowa State athletics conclude following the 2025-26 school year, one Cyclone on both the cross country and track teams earned her name in Iowa State athletics history.

Mercyline Kirwa is the 2026 Celia Barquin Arozamena Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year. 

Kirwa marks the third consecutive track and field athlete to receive it and the 15th time overall for the program. Prior to Kirwa, Sydney Willits (2024) and Rachel Joseph (2025) earned the honors.

Not only did Kirwa earn this title, but she is also the 2026 10,000m national champion and runner-up in the 5,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Kirwa earned the 1o,000m title with a time of 31:51.89. For the 5,000m, a time of 15:13.72 earned second place.

Other track and field accolades Kirwa has earned are the outdoor 10,000m title and the indoor 5,000m titles at the Big 12 Championships, earning three All-American honors,  being named to the Second Team All-America and was named the 2o26 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year

Kirwa’s accomplishments did not stop on the track; she also found success with the cross-country team. Accolades Kirwa earned in cross country include All-Big 12 honors and Big 12 Runner of the Week in 2025.

With a sophomore season ahead, the Baringo, Kenya native closes out her freshman campaign as a champion and a keystone in Iowa State Athletics history.