Completed Event: Cross Country versus Cyclone Preview on August 29, 2025 , , Men: 1st, Women: 1st
Final
Cross Country
Cyclone Preview
Men: 1st, Women: 1st
Iowa State University Athletics
Kiptoo Claims Big 12 XC Title, Cyclones Finish Second
10.29.2021 | Cross Country
STILLWATER, Oklahoma – Wesley Kiptoo defended his Big 12 Cross Country Championship individual crown Friday at the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course to lead the No. 2 Iowa State men's team. Despite putting seven runners in the All-Big 12 positions for a third-straight season, the Cyclones were unable to take down Oklahoma State on its home course, with OSU taking the team race, 24-31, over the Cyclones.
From the gun of the men's 8,000 meters, it was a two-horse race for the individual title between Kiptoo and Isai Rodriguez of Oklahoma State, the same top-two from last season. The Cyclone junior took the lead near the 2K mark of the race and pulled away from there, building up his lead to 23.8 seconds at the line with his winning mark of 23:32.5.
Kiptoo defended his Big 12 XC title, the fourth-straight season the Cyclones claimed the men's individual crown, following wins in 2018 and 2019 by Edwin Kurgat. Kiptoo now owns seven Big 12 titles across cross country and track and field.
Thomas Pollard also made history, becoming the first male to earn five career All-Big 12 cross country honors. Pollard finished seventh overall, clocking a time of 24:24.8.
Behind him, the team race intensely played out once again. OSU was ahead by 32 points after 3,000 meters, but big moves up by Festus Lagat and Ryan Ford cut the lead to single digits at the halfway mark. At 6,000 meters, ISU was within a point with OSU at 32 to Iowa State's 33, but the Cowboys were able to pull away and defend their home course and team title.
Festus Lagat surged in the final 1,000 to finish fifth in 24:21.9 and earn a second career All-Big 12 finish. Pollard finished seventh and was followed closely by Gable Sieperda, who was right behind in eighth in 24:28.4 to be All-Big 12 for a second-straight season.
Ezekiel Rop (10th, 24:30.4), Ryan Ford (12th, 24:31.9) and Timothy Sindt (15th, 24:42.0) all earned first career All-Big 12 cross country honors with their finishes.
Up Next
Iowa State will compete in the NCAA Cross Country Championships Midwest Regional on Friday, Nov. 12 with an eye on securing qualification to the NCAA Cross Country Championships later in November. The meet will be at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City.
Team Standings
1. Oklahoma State – 24; 2. Iowa State – 31; 3. Texas – 77; 4. Kansas State – 121; 5. Kansas – 169; 6. Baylor – 192; 7. Texas Tech – 196; 8. Oklahoma – 233; 9. TCU – 256
Individual Results
1. Wesley Kiptoo, Iowa State – 23:32.5; 5. Festus Lagat, Iowa State – 24;21.9; 7. Thomas Pollard, Iowa State – 24:24.8; 8. Gable Sieperda, Iowa State – 24:28.4; 10. Ezekiel Rop, Iowa State – 24:30.4; 12. Ryan Ford, Iowa State – 24:31.9; 15. Timothy Sindt, Iowa State – 24:42.0; 23. Chad Johnson, Iowa State – 25:30.4; 30. Nehemia Too, Iowa State – 25:41.2; 35. Nate Mueller, Iowa State – 26:05.1
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