Seven Punch Tickets to Indoor Nationals

AMES, Iowa – Seven Cyclones secured their spot at NCAA Indoor Championships announced Tuesday, putting them among the best in the nation as only the top 16 marks or times set throughout the 2025 season advance.

Phenom Rachel Joseph is in for the second consecutive year with her 400m time of 50.99 (altitude converted). Joseph's raw time of 50.88 won her the Big 12 title as she broke the indoor record for the seventh time. The junior is one of just five women in the nation to break 51 seconds this season. Last season Joseph became the first Cyclone woman to qualify for indoor nationals in the 400m.

Joseph has gone sub-51 four times in her career, including her 50.92 and 50.74 that hit the Olympic Standard at U.S. Olympic Trials last June. Joseph advanced to semifinals and came one spot shy of advancing to the nine-person final.

Thai Thompson makes history as the first Iowa State multi to advance to the indoor national meet (heptathlon or pentathlon). At Big 12 Championships, the senior reset his heptathlon school record by nearly 200 points with 5,825 to take the bronze. During the competition, Thompson set the No. 5-ranking pole vault performance in school history, the first addition to the list since 2003 and highest since 1997. Thompson will make his first NCAA appearance, entering as the No. 9 seed.

Cam Jones is set for his fourth NCAA Championships, earning his spot in the weight throw with the No. 12 mark in the nation of 75-9 1/4 (23.09m) set at the Iowa State Classic. Jones has now qualified for nationals in the weight throw three times, and once in the indoor and outdoor shot put. In 2024 indoor season, the four-time All American was one of just two men in the nation to qualify in both the weight throw and shot put.

Darius Kipyego booked a return trip to indoor nationals in the 800m, heading into the event as the No. 12 seed with an altitude-adjusted 1:46.48 set at Big 12 Championships. Kipyego's indoor-best 1:46.56 set at this season's Iowa State Classic ranks third in program history, while his personal record of 1:45.40 set at U.S. Olympic Trials ranks second in outdoor history. Last indoor season, Kipyego earned 800m First Team All-America honors. Kipyego joins Jason Gómez and Edward Kemboi as the only men in ISU history to qualify for indoor nationals in the event multiple times.

Braden Goellner readies for his first national championship, earning his spot in the high jump with a clearance of 7-3 (2.21m). The sophomore ranks third in ISU indoor history and the mark ranks No. 14 in the nation. Goellner is the fourth man in Iowa State history to advance to indoor nationals in the high jump and first since 2015.

Sanele Masondo qualifies for his first NCAA Indoor Championships, punching his ticket in the 5,000m. Masondo set his qualifying time of 13:20.30 at the BU Season Opener, the second-fastest performance in school history. Masondo is a three-time All-American through cross country and track & field. He becomes the 11^th in Cyclone men's history to qualify in the indoor 5,000m.

Said Mechaal will also run in the 5K, qualifying with his time of 13:21.13 set at the BU Season Opener. Mechaal ranks third on the ISU performance list with the time. This will be the senior's third trip to NCAAs after advancing to both indoor and outdoor nationals in the 5K last year, his first year as a Cyclone.

NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 14-15 at Virginia Beach, Va.

Players Mentioned

Braden Goellner

Cam Jones

Rachel Joseph

Darius Kipyego

Sanele Masondo

Said Mechaal

Thai Thompson

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics