ISU Men Post Highest Outdoor Finish Since 1996

EUGENE, Oregon – The Iowa State men produced three First Team All-Americans in the final day to end NCAA Championships in 18th place with 16 points. It is the highest outdoor placement and point total for the men since 1996.

With the Iowa State men finishing 23rd at indoor nationals and fifth at cross country NCAA Championships in 2023-24, the Cyclones make for the first time since 1993 to secure top 25 finishes in each of the three in the same season. Those finishes put Iowa State at No. 7 in the USTFCCCA Program of the Year standings, based on placements at national championships in indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and cross country.

In the steeplechase final, Gable Sieperda worked his way from ninth to fifth with two laps to go but wasn't done there. With his signature kick, Sieperda blazed ahead of two more runners to secure a podium spot in third with 8:25.92. The time takes down his school record set earlier this season (8:26.58) and is his second time under the automatic U.S. Olympic Trials standard (8:30.00).

Finley Mclear then toed the line in the 800m final. With 200 meters to go, Mclear stood in seventh and ran up the pack in the final stretch to cement the bronze in a lifetime-best 1:45.66 for First Team All-America. It is the fourth-fastest performance in Iowa State history. Mclear added another six points to ISU's team title and becomes the 18th individual totaling the 28th total All-America honor in Iowa State's storied 800m history. It is Mclear's fourth First Team honor of his career.

Ezekiel Rop notched First Team All-America status in the 1,500m finishing seventh in 3:40.50. It is Rop's second First Team honor as he becomes the first in ISU men's history to earn multiple All-America nods in the event. It is also the ninth total 1,500m honor in program history.

In the 5,000m, Said Mechaal ran ahead of six runners in the final mile to cement 13th in the stacked field with a time of 14:03.41. The finish earns Mechaal Second Team All-America, while he also earned Second Team honors in indoor season. Mechaal is the 10th individual Cyclone All-American and earns the 15th total honor in the event.

Kevin Sakson was unable to record a mark in the discus after fouling on the three attempts, but still earns Honorable Mention All-America. Sakson earns his second All-America honor, becoming the first in Iowa State history to earn multiple All-America honors in the event. Sakson ends his Iowa State career as top-10 ranked ISU performer in three events and a nine-time Big 12 medalist, including take the 2023 outdoor shot put title.

The women will close NCAA Championships tomorrow, with Iowa State having two opportunities to score. Janette Schraft's steeplechase final is slated for 4:54 p.m. CT and Maelle Porcher's 5,000m final is at 6:25 p.m.

Iowa State Results

3,000m Steeplechase Final (M): 1. Parker Stokes, Georgetown – 8:24.58; 3. Gable Sieperda, Iowa State – 8:25.92 (PR, No. 1 ISU)

1,500m Final (M): 1. Joe Waskom, Washington – 3:39.48; 7. Ezekiel Rop, Iowa State – 3:40.50

800m Final (M): 1. Shane Cohen, Virginia – 1:44.97; 3. Finley Mclear, Iowa State – 1:45.66 (No. 4 ISU)

5,000m Final (M): 1. Parker Wolfe, North Carolina – 13:54.43; 13. Said Mechaal, Iowa State – 14:03.41

Discus (M): 1. Francois Prinsloo, South Alabama – 208-4 (63.51m); Kevin Sakson, Iowa State – Foul

Players Mentioned

Finley Mclear

Said Mechaal

Maelle Porcher

Ezekiel Rop

Kevin Sakson

Janette Schraft

Gable Sieperda

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics