Sydney Willits, NCAA Long Jump National Champion

BOSTON – Sydney Willits was crowned NCAA Long Jump Champion in record-fashion, becoming both the first to leap past 22 feet and the first long jump national champion in Iowa State history. The distance medley relay also earned First Team All-American status with their seventh place finish.

With the junior's first attempt, Willits broke the school record and went on to hold the lead with 21-6 through three rounds. In the fourth go, Stanford's Alyssa Jones moved into the top spot with 21-10 1/4, and Willits answered with 21-11, again breaking the school record. On the sixth and final jump, the second to last jumper Florida's Claire Bryant moved into first with 22-0 1/4. As the final jumper, Willits stepped onto the runway and broke the record for the third time on the night with 22-1 1/2 (6.74m), moving back into the top spot to win the title.

NATIONAL CHAMPION.

Sydney Willits is the NCAA Long Jump National Champ! Sydney becomes the first to leap past 22 feet and first long jump national champion in Iowa State history with her school record of 22-1 1/2 (6.74m).#Jump4ISU pic.twitter.com/21YtS6VQFa
— Iowa State Track & XC (@CycloneTrackXC) March 9, 2024

Willits has now downed the long jump and pentathlon program record this season. Her mark topped her previous best by a full foot and Kate Hall's 2016 school record of 21-5 1/5. Willits is the first Iowa State national champion since Wesley Kiptoo took the 5,000m crown in 2021 and 44th total.

Day two started out dominantly, with both of Iowa State's 800m entries grabbing an automatic qualification to tomorrow's final. Finley Mclear posted the third-fastest time in the semifinals of 1:47.49 while Darius Kipyego advanced with 1:47.67. The final is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT Saturday. Iowa State is the lone school to advance multiple men to the 800m final.

NOT DONE YET.

Both Cyclones automatically qualify for the 800 final with Finley Mclear (1:47.49) finishing third and Darius Kipyego (1:47.67) seventh in semifinals. See you two tomorrow. #CycloneSZN pic.twitter.com/oodAQygut1
— Iowa State Track & XC (@CycloneTrackXC) March 8, 2024

Said Mechaal then took on the 5,000m, working his way up the pack to cement 10th with a time of 13:36.99. The finish notches Mechaal Second Team All-America honors, his first-career All-America nod. Mechaal is the 10th Cyclone All-American and picks up the 14th total honor in the event.

Next came the distance medley relay where Ezekiel Rop led off the 1,200m leg (2:58.10) and handed off to Gus Langford for the 400m, posting a split of 48.19. Jason Gómez then took the baton and posted an 800m split of 1:48.97. Anchoring the relay for the mile was Silas Winders who posted a blistering time of 3:54.83, the fastest mile split among the field. That finish would put the team at seventh overall with a time of 9:30.07, earning the squad First Team All-America and securing two team points. The time is the fifth-fastest performance in school history.

The women then began action, with Rachel Joseph sprinting in the 400m semifinals. Joseph ran in the first heat and was tripped up but pushed through the challenge to time in at 53.35. Joseph cemented 15th for Second Team All-America honors, becoming the first woman All-American in the event.

Iowa State continues competition at NCAA Championships tomorrow with the men's shot put and men's 800m final.

Iowa State Results

800m Semifinal: 1. Rivaldo Marshall, Iowa – 1:47.21; 3. Finley Mclear, Iowa State – 1:47.49; 7. Darius Kipyego, Iowa State – 1:47.67

5,000m Final: 1. Nico Young, NAU – 13:25.29; 10. Said Mechaal, Iowa State – 13:36.99

Distance Medley Relay: 1. Oklahoma State – 9:25.24; 7. Iowa State (Rop, Langford, Gómez, Winders) – 9:30.07 (No. 5 ISU)

Long Jump: 1. Sydney Willits, Iowa State – 22-1 1/2 (6.74m, No. 1 ISU)

400m Semifinal: 1. Amber Anning, Arkansas – 50.74; 15. Rachel Joseph, Iowa State – 53.35

Players Mentioned

Rachel Joseph

Darius Kipyego

Gus Langford

Finley Mclear

Said Mechaal

Ezekiel Rop

Sydney Willits

Silas Winders

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics