Four Cyclones Advance to Quarterfinals in Day One

SACRAMENTO, California – Ezekiel Rop locked up a spot in 1,500m quarterfinals while a trio of Cyclones advanced in the 800-meter run to begin NCAA West Preliminaries.

Rop left no doubt in his heat of the 1,500-meter run, winning it in 3:49.68. The junior now advances to quarterfinals Friday at 7:15 p.m. CT. Chad Johnson finalized his remarkable ISU career with a time of 3:50.34 while freshman Emanuel Galdino clocked 3:51.42.

The 800m followed, with three Cyclones grabbing automatically qualifying slots. Jason Gómez placed second in his heat just behind first with 1:48.64. In the next heat, Darius Kipyego (1:49.64) and Peter Smith (1:49.96) built their way up the pack in the final stretch to notch their spot in quarterfinals. The trio will race next on Friday at 9:05 p.m. CT.

In the javelin, Zach Podraza opened with a throw of 204-2 (62.25m). On his final of three throws, Podraza improved his mark to 216-3 (65.91m). The mark placed him 18^th to close out his Cyclone career.

Kevin Sakson recorded a mark over 60 feet yet again in the shot put with 61-5 1/2 (18.73m). Sakson hit the mark on his second throw and went on to place 18^th. Sakson also qualified for West prelims in the discus and will throw in flight two on Friday at 3 p.m. CT.

The women will begin action tomorrow with six events. ISU's schedule is below.

Iowa State Results

Javelin (M): 1. Arthur Petersen, Nebraska – 247-7 (75.47m); 18. Zach Podraza, Iowa State – 216-3 (65.91m)

Shot Put (M): 1. Turner Washington, Arizona State – 68-10 1/2 (20.99m); 18. Kevin Sakson, Iowa State – 61-5 1/2 (18.73m)

1,500m First Round (M): 1. Joe Waskom, Washington – 3:39.98; 32. Ezekiel Rop, Iowa State – 3:49.68 (Q); 36. Chad Johnson, Iowa State – 3:50.34; 46. Emanuel Galdino, Iowa State – 3:51.42

800m First Round (M): 1. Matthew Erickson, Oregon – 1:47.14; 12. Jason Gómez, Iowa State – 1:48.64 (Q); 23. Darius Kipyego, Iowa State – 1:49.64 (Q); 28. Peter Smith, Iowa State – 1:49.96 (Q); 41. Cebastian Gentil, Iowa State – 1:51.91

400m Hurdles First Round (M): 1. Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor – 49.22; 36. Thai Thompson, Iowa State – 52.62

Thursday Schedule (All Times Central)

12 p.m.: Hammer (W) - Kaitlyn Burson

8 p.m.: Long Jump (W) – Sydney Willits

8 p.m.: 100m Hurdles First Round (W) - Kaylyn Hall, Katarina Vlahovic

9:25 p.m.: 400m First Round (W) - Rachel Joseph

10:20 p.m.: 400m Hurdles First Round (W) – Zakiyah Amos

11:10 p.m.: 10,000m (W) – Cailie Logue, Dana Feyen

Players Mentioned

Zakiyah Amos

Kaitlyn Burson

Dana Feyen

Emanuel Galdino

Cebastian Gentil

Kaylyn Hall

Chad Johnson

Rachel Joseph

Darius Kipyego

Cailie Logue

Zach Podraza

Ezekiel Rop

Kevin Sakson

Peter Smith

Thai Thompson

Katarina Vlahovic

Sydney Willits

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