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
No. 12 ISU Women Finish 20th at NCAA Championships
11.22.2025 | Cross Country
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 12 Iowa State women's cross country team ran to Top 20 team finish at the NCAA Championships on Saturday, matching its team result from 2023. Betty Kipkore and Mercy Kibet earned All-America honors for their individual performances.
"I'm really proud of our women and their effort not just today but throughout the entire season," said coach Cale Wallace. "To go from not being at the meet last year to being 20th in the country, missing a few pieces and having an off day, is a great jump."
"What a day and what a fall!" said director of cross country Jeremy Sudbury. "I am incredibly proud of the program and everyone who is a part of it. Our athletes, support staff and coaches work so hard year-round and I am incredibly grateful to them and our administration. The women ran super tough and gritty and it was awesome to see them battling it out today on the biggest stage in the NCAA to finish Top 20 in the country."
Kipkore and Kibet ran well together, starting inside the Top 40 and worked in tandem up the ranks to finish inside the Top 20. Maelle Porcher, making her fourth appearance at the national meet, also finished inside the Top 75 as the Cyclones' third runner. Porcher concludes her cross country career as a three-time All-Big 12 and All-Midwest Region runner for the Cyclones.
"I'm so happy for Betty and Mercy becoming Cyclone All-Americans," said Wallace. "They have bright futures ahead and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish on the track this season."
"Betty and Mercy executed Coach Wallace's plan to perfection and both were rewarded with All-America performances," said Sudbury. "They are truly special and I can't wait to see what is next for them."
Senior Riley Beach, making her NCAA cross country debut, climbed steadily and gained over 20 spots throughout the 6K race. Freshman Maya Ledesma rounded out ISU's top five, finishing with a time 21:03.1 at her first national meet. Ruby Hughes and Sydney Morrell were other finishers for the Cyclones, who made their 27th appearance at the national championship meet and 14th in the last 17 seasons.
Team Results
1. No. 1 NC State, 114; 2. No. 2 BYU, 130; 3. No. 6 Oregon, 153; 4. No. 4 New Mexico, 216; 5. No. 3 Florida, 225; 6. No. 9 Stanford, 268; 7. No. 5 Notre Dame, 278; 8. No. 14 NAU, 279; 9. No. 7 West Virginia, 280; 10. No. 13 Penn State, 406; 11. No. 16 North Carolina, 413; 12. No. 8 Oklahoma State, 432; 13. No. 18 Colorado, 434; 14. No. 10 Georgetown, 454; 15. No. 15 South Carolina, 456; 16. No. 20 Alabama, 450; 17. No. 22 Utah, 465; 18. No. 11 Northwestern, 469; 19. No. 27 Washington, 472; 20. No. 12 Iowa State, 491; 21. Wake Forest, 514; 22. No. 23 Boise State, 527; 23. No. 30 LSU, 530; 24. No. 19 Virginia, 558; 25. No. 17 Villanova, 574; 26. No. 24 Wisconsin, 600; 27. No. 25 Washington State, 602; 28. No. 29 Missouri, 632; 29. No. 28 Boston College, 647; 30. No. 21 Tennessee, 650; 31. No. 26 Texas A&M, 654; 32. Providence, 793
Individual Results
1. Doris Lemngole, Alabama, 18:25.4; 15. Betty Kipkore, Iowa State, 19:01.4; 20. Mercy Kibet, Iowa State, 19:05.7; 89. Maelle Porcher, Iowa State, 19:54.3; 225. Riley Beach, Iowa State, 20:54.5; 234. Maya Ledesma, Iowa State, 21:03.1; 247. Ruby Hughes, Iowa State, 21:19.4; 251. Sydney Morrell, Iowa State, 21:27.9
Players Mentioned
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