PRIMER: Cyclone Preview

Iowa State cross country returns to action on Friday morning with the fourth annual Cyclone Preview in Ames. The meet will begin with the women's 5K at 8:30 am at the Iowa State Cross Country Course followed by the men's 6K race.

Cyclone Preview
Friday, September 4
Women's 5K | 8:00 a.m. | Course Map
Men's 6K | 8:30 a.m. | Course Map

Last Time Out
At last season's national championship meet, the Iowa State men earned their fourth trophy finish in the last five seasons while the women finished 20^th overall. Robin Kwemoi Bera, Mercy Kibet, Meshack Kimutai, Rodgers Kiplimo, Betty Kipkore and Joash Ruto are Cyclone returners in 2026 that earned All-America honors at the national meet a season ago.

The Field at the Cyclone Preview
Teams competing alongside Iowa State on Friday include Colby CC, DMACC, Drake, Iowa Central CC, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.

The Course
The Iowa State Cross Country Course has hosted the Cyclone Preview for the last three seasons. In November, the Cyclones will host the NCAA Midwest Regional meet. It marks the first time since 2017 that Iowa State will host the regional meet and fourth time in school history (1997, 2013). Iowa State was also the NCAA Championships host in 2000 and has hosted the Big 12 Championships four times (1996, 2008, 2018, 2023).

What to Watch For

Iowa State will send out most of its younger runners on the roster, looking to add to a deep 2026 roster with six returning All-Americans.
Individuals set to make their Cyclone debuts include Sophia Keditukei for the women and Dylan Maloney, Mikah Peters, Carson Driemeier, Jaden Merrick and Kipruto Koech for the men.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Robin Kwemoi Bera

Carson Driemeier

Sophia Keditukei

Mercy Kibet

Meshack Kimutai

Betty Kipkore

Rodgers Kiplimo

Kipruto Koech

Dylan Maloney

Jaden Merrick

Mikah Peters

Joash Ruto

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