Kiptoo Guides No. 6 ISU Men to Nuttycombe Title

MADISON, Wisconsin – The No. 6 Iowa State men's cross country team won the 2021 Nuttycombe Invitational, and Wesley Kiptoo claimed the individual title, following a phenomenal race at Zimmer Championship Course on Friday afternoon. Kiptoo led Friday's race in Madison wire-to-wire, while the rest of the Cyclones surged late to secure the team victory, the Cyclone men's squads first Nuttycombe team title.

Iowa State finished with 88 team points to best an outstanding field that featured 17 nationally-ranked teams. Stanford, ranked No. 3 in the country in this week's USTFCCCA poll, finished second with 104 points.

Kiptoo, meanwhile, cruised to victory in a time of 23:11.2 as the junior phenom got out ahead of the pack early on and was never challenged. The native of Marakwet, Kenya, led by 19.9 seconds at the 6,000-meter mark and finished comfortably ahead of his nearest competitor in Oregon's NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion Cooper Teare (23:20.9).

Festus Lagat, making his season debut, was a critical piece of the Cyclone team victory, finishing 17th in 23:45.3. He was followed closely by the duo of Thomas Pollard (20th – 23:46.5) and Gable Sieperda (21st – 23:47.9). Ryan Ford (29th – 23:52.0) was the Cyclones' fifth and final scorer, clinching the team title for Iowa State.

Ezekiel Rop (41st – 23:56.0), Tim Sindt (57th – 24:08.1) and Chad Johnson (78th – 24:19.0) also had strong showing for the Cardinal & Gold in the Men's 8k Championship race.

Nehemia Too (20th – 25:06.0) and Nate Mueller (50th – 25:45.0) both competed in the men's "B" race.

Next Up
The Iowa State men are set for the postseason, as they head to Stillwater, Okla., for the Big 12 Championship on Oct. 29. The races begin at 10 a.m. at the OSU Cross Country Course.

Individual Results
1. Wesley Kiptoo - 23:11.2
17. Festus Lagat - 23:45.3
20. Thomas Pollard - 23:46.5
21. Gable Sieperda - 23:47.9
29. Ryan Ford - 23:52.0
41. Ezekiel Rop - 23:56.0
57. Tim Sindt - 24:08.1
78. Chad Johnson - 24:19.0

Team Results
1. Iowa State – 88
2. Stanford – 104
3. Tulsa – 160
4. Wisconsin – 187
5. Air Force – 225
6. Oregon – 272
7. Gonzaga – 274
8. Michigan – 285
9. Furman – 302
10. Colorado State - 318

Players Mentioned

Ryan Ford

Chad Johnson

Wesley Kiptoo

Festus Lagat

Nate Mueller

Thomas Pollard

Ezekiel Rop

Gable Sieperda

Nehemia Too

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics

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