Bera, Masondo Advance to Nationals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Iowa State qualified two for NCAA Championships while three moved on to quarterfinals as men took on day one of NCAA West Prelims.

Robin Kwemoi Bera and Sanele Masondo were the first Cyclones to book their spots at nationals qualifying in the 10,000m. Bera and Masondo crossed the finish line sixth and seventh as the top 12 moved on. Rodgers Kiplimo missed nationals by one spot, taking 13th.

Bera will make his third-straight trip to NCAA Championships through indoor and outdoor season and first in the 10,000m. Masondo returns to outdoor nationals in the 10,000m after earning First Team All-America taking seventh in 2024.

In the first round of the 1,500m, Emanuel Galdino eased his way up the pack out of the final curve and comfortably finished in an automatically qualifying position taking second in his heat with a season-best 3:39.91. Devan Kipyego also automatically advanced working his way into a top five position in the final curve, taking third in his heat with 3:40.66.

Freshman Jailan Sohna qualified for 800m quarterfinals, moving on with his heat finish taking second in the final heat clocking 1:47.26. The time is .07 off his personal best and finished as the sixth fastest in the first round.

Zach Verzani concluded his Cyclone career taking 22nd in the hammer throw (205-3), his third-straight NCAA Prelims appearance. Verzani is the second-ranked ISU performer all time in the hammer.

Alec Carr competed in both hurdle distances, in 110m and 400m hurdles, but missed advancement. Carr leaves Iowa State as the school record holder in 110m and 60m hurdles.

Justice Miller ended the night in the javelin after rain delayed the event. Miller had a best throw of 213-11 (65.21m) hit in the second of three rounds, going on to finish 20th. The senior and first-year Cyclone closes his collegiate career ranked fourth in school history.

NCAA Prelims continue tomorrow as the women begin action. ISU's first event is the women's hammer at 9 a.m.

Iowa State Results

Hammer (M): 1. Texas Tanner, Air Force – 244-4 (74.49m); 22. Zach Verzani, Iowa State – 205-3 (62.57m)

Javelin (M): 1. Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi, Texas A&M – 260-6 (79.41m); 20. Justice Miller, Iowa State – 213-11 (65.21m)

110m Hurdles First Round (M): 1. Malachi Snow, Texas Tech – 13.24; 29. Alec Carr, Iowa State – 13.93

1,500m First Round (M): 1. Carter Cutting, BYU – 3:39.63; 4. Emanuel Galdino, Iowa State – 3:39.91; 14. Devan Kipyego, Iowa State – 3:40.66

800m First Round (M): 1. Rivaldo Marshall, Arkansas – 1:46.92; 6. Jailan Sohna, Iowa State – 1:47.26; 35. Sam Austin, Iowa State – 1:49.09

400m Hurdles First Round (M): 1. Kody Blackwood, Texas – 49.53; 48. Alec Carr, Iowa State – 55.01

10,000m (M): 1. Habtom Samuel, New Mexico – 28:42.53; 6. Robin Kwemoi Bera, Iowa State – 28:52.32; 7. Sanele Masondo, Iowa State – 28:55.97; 13. Rodgers Kiplimo, Iowa State – 29:00.88; 28. Meshack Kimutai, Iowa State – 29:26.12

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Players Mentioned

Sam Austin

Robin Kwemoi Bera

Alec Carr

Emanuel Galdino

Meshack Kimutai

Rodgers Kiplimo

Devan Kipyego

Sanele Masondo

Justice Miller

Jailan Sohna

Zach Verzani

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Iowa State University Athletics