Ruto Finishes Fourth, Resets Program Record

EUGENE, Ore. – Joash Ruto ran to a podium finish in the steeple, while Robin Kwemoi Bera earned Second Team All-America in the 5,000m as the men completed NCAA Championships.

The Iowa State men post a 30^th-place team finish of 10 points, secured by Rodgers Kiplimo and Ruto.

Ruto pushed the pace early on with just over five laps to go in the 3,000m steeplechase final, and went on to take fourth in his first NCAA Championships. Ruto clocked 8:20.47, breaking the school record for the third time. He ran an all-time best after his 8:22.94, a then-school record, 48 hours ago in the semifinals.

The freshman is now the 17^th-fastest collegian in all-time history and picks up the fourth First Team All-America honor in Iowa State history.

In the field of the nation's 24 best athletes, Bera ran in the back and worked his way up. As the lap counter went down to four, the freshman ran in 12^th position and with two laps two go the lead pack trimmed down to 10. Bera went on to cross the finish line 11^th in 13:30.52 to earn Second Team All-America. Bera came four seconds off his PR that ranks fourth in school history.

Bera is the 11^th man in ISU history to earn outdoor 5K All-America honors and totals the 16^th total honor.

Both Ruto and Bera are now two-time All-Americans after earning their first honor this past cross country season.

NCAA Championships wrap up tomorrow with the women continuing competition. Iowa State has two finals, with Rachel Joseph sprinting the 400m at 9:02 p.m. CT and Maelle Porcher running the 5,000m at 9:55 p.m.

Iowa State Results

3,000m Steeplechase Final (M): 1. James Corrigan, BYU - 8:16.41; 4. Joash Ruto, Iowa State – 8:22.94

5,000m Final (M): 1. Brian Musau, Oklahoma State – 13:20.59; 11. Robin Kwemoi Bera, Iowa State – 13:30.52

Players Mentioned

Robin Kwemoi Bera

Rachel Joseph

Rodgers Kiplimo

Maelle Porcher

Joash Ruto

Sponsors

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