Iowa State Track and Field has announced the signing of four new members of the track and field team, some of whom will compete for both cross country and track and field.
While Iowa State track is still a long way away, these athletes are still regularly training, some running primarily for cross country (distance runners) in the fall. Exclusive track athletes still compete in both indoor and outdoor events, making it year-round.
Rosemary Longisa – Cross Country and Track
Longisa is the most exciting addition for Iowa State women’s cross country and track. Longisa is transferring in from Washington State and ran the fastest 1,500-meter time in the nation (4:02.55), making her the NCAA champion in the 1,500. She also recorded a top-10 fastest 800-meter race time in the NCAA last season with a time of 2:00.27.
Longisa has a personal record of 4:24.59 in the mile, which is the third fastest time in NCAA history.
The distance runner is also a stellar cross country runner. Last season she had a personal record of 19:07 in the 6k, won four races, and placed 27th in the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.
Longisa, an Eldoret, Kenya native, has been busy this summer representing Kenya in the Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve been so grateful and happy to compete here and to have my family watch me,” Longisa said in an interview with Kenya Sports via Instagram after her race at the Nyayo National Stadium games in June.
Katie Willits – Track
Willits will be a freshman for the Cyclones coming in from Waukee Northwest High School, where she has put together a decorated career.
Willits was one of the fastest sprinters in the state, specializing in the 100 and 200-meter events, both individually and in relays with the Wolves. Willits led Waukee Northwest in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, with a personal record of 11.57 in the 100 and 23.70 in the 200-meter race.
Willits’ efforts have allowed her to lead her team to a 2026 state championship this past season.
The Willits family is also not unfamiliar with the Cyclone track program, as she has had four members of her family all run at Iowa State.
“I just really wanted to go to Iowa State; that was my number one choice,” Willits said in an interview with KCCI 8 News.
Willits will look to continue to build her own legacy at Iowa State.
Tiffany Mugubi – Track and Cross Country
Mugubi is coming off an excellent track season at Howard University and looks to level up with the Cyclones.
In track, the sophomore had a fantastic season, especially in the 800-meter races. She was the champion of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the 800-meter run and has a personal record of 2:04.86 in the 800-meter race.
Mugubi qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the 800-meter race this season. Mugubi is also competitive in the 400-meter race, posting a personal record of 55.44 seconds.
Mugubi can also run cross country, posting a 5k personal record of 18:58:09, and could be valuable for both sides of running for the Cyclones.
Alexis Noble – Track
The fourth and most recent signing comes from transfer Alexis Noble from Missouri Southern. Noble has the strongest performances in the discus and the hammer throws, with a personal record of 53.34 meters and a season best of 41.48 meters for the discus throw.
Noble will look to make a major impact right away, jumping to the Big 12 for high-level throws against some of the best. This will be Noble’s sophomore season, and she looks to join an experienced group of throwers at Iowa State that returns several throwers from last season.
