Sieperda Leads ISU at Bryan Clay Invitational

AZUSA, California – Iowa State's weekend of competition in Southern California was kicked off on Wednesday at the Bryan Clay Invitational. The highlight came in the evening in ISU's final race of the night, with Gable Sieperda posting a new personal best in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and one of the top times in the country this season.

Sieperda, who finished fourth in the Big 12 last year and 14th at the NCAA West Prelims in the steeplechase, was ready to make his mark and was able to. Though he could not get past Montana's Joel Mendez for the win, Sieperda was able to roll home in second in 8:43.45, a personal best by over three seconds. His effort also moved him up a spot to No. 8 in Iowa State history in the 3K steeplechase and (at the time of publication) sees him at No. 12 in NCAA Division I this season in the steeplechase.

After a difficult 100-meter hurdles to begin her first career heptathlon, Sydney Willits rallied in the later events for a solid finish. In the shot put, the freshman launched a nearly four-foot personal best of 35-6 1/2 (10.83m). She closed out her day in the 200-meter dash with a personal best 25.50 to put her on 2,498 points heading into the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run tomorrow.

Challenges faced the Cyclone men in the decathlon as well. After posting a personal best 11.44 in the 100 meters to start the day, Jack Vetch was not able to break the top-seven of his group in any of the other events and sits ninth in Group B with 3,391 points. Thai Thompson did not record a legal mark in the long jump, but did rally for a strong 49.89 in the 400 meters to close the day and is at 2,892 points heading into tomorrow's action, which includes the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters run.

Up Next
Iowa State resumes competition tomorrow at the Bryan Clay Invitational, with the heptathlon starting at 1 p.m. Central, decathlon at 3 p.m., 800s at 4:55 p.m. and 5,000s starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Cyclones will also begin competition at the Mt. SAC Relays, with steeplechases beginning at 7 p.m. Central.

Iowa State Results
3,000m Steeplechase, Section 1 (M): 1. Joel Mendez, Montana – 8:42.22; 2. Gable Sieperda, Iowa State – 8:43.45

Decathlon, Group B (Thru 5 Events): 1. Nolan Churchman, Fort Hays State – 3,974; 9. Jack Vetsch, Iowa State – 3,391; 11. Thai Thompson, Iowa State – 2,792
100m Dash (Dec., Group B): 1. Nolan Churchman, Fort Hays State – 10.83; 7. Thai Thompson, Iowa State – 11.22; 10. Jack Vetsch, Iowa State – 11.44
Long Jump (Dec., Group B): 1. Howard Bell, Unattached – 23-8 1/4 (7.22m); 10. Jack Vetsch, Iowa State – 21-2 (6.45m); Thai Thompson, Iowa State – Foul
Shot Put (Dec., Group B): 1. Sam Talbot, Unattached – 45-9 3/4 (13.96m); 8. Jack Vetsch, Iowa State – 39-5 (12.01m); 12. Thai Thompson, Iowa State – 34-5 1/2 (10.50m)
High Jump (Dec., Group B): 1. Aaron Worrell, Azusa Pacific – 6-6 3/4 (2.00m); 8. Thai Thompson, Iowa State – 5-11 1/2 (1.82m); 11. Jack Vetsch, Iowa State – 5-9 1/4 (1.76m)
400m Dash (Dec., Group B): 1. Nolan Churchman, Fort Hays State – 47.65; 4. Thai Thompson, Iowa State – 49.89; 8. Jack Vetsch, Iowa State – 51.65

Heptathlon, Group B (Thru 4 Events): 1. Colleen Uzoekwe, Oregon – 3,368; 24. Sydney Willits, Iowa State – 2,498
100m Hurdles (Hep., Group B): 1. Nicole Ostertag, Saskatoon – 14.09; 26. Sydney Willits, Iowa State – 18.95
High Jump (Hep., Group B): 1. Madisson Lawrence, Winnipeg Optimist Athletics – 5-8 (1.73m); T-16. Sydney Willits, Iowa State – 5-1 (1.55m)
Shot Put (Hep., Group B): 1. Colleen Uzoekwe, Oregon – 44-1 1/4 (13.44m); 14. Sydney Willits, Iowa State – 35-6 1/2 (10.83m)
200m Dash (Hep., Group B): 1. Jorden Hall, Coastal Track Club – 24.69; 8. Sydney Willits, Iowa State – 25.50

Players Mentioned

Gable Sieperda

Thai Thompson

Jack Vetsch

Sydney Willits

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics