If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Iowa State track results lately, you know something shifted in Ames. It isn’t just about having a few fast runners anymore. Honestly, the program has evolved into a legitimate national powerhouse, and the 2025 season was the definitive proof of that.
For a long time, Iowa State was "the distance school." You expected them to win the 5,000m or the 10,000m, and they usually did. But look at the recent numbers. The Cyclones finished the 2025 campaign with 21 All-America honors and 13 school records. That is wild. We are talking about a program that hasn't seen this kind of depth across the board since the early '90s.
The Rachel Joseph era and the sprint revolution
The biggest shocker for people following Iowa State track results has been the explosion in the sprints. Historically, that wasn't the Cyclones' "thing." Then Rachel Joseph happened.
Joseph was named the 2025 Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year for a reason. She didn't just win; she demolished. She’s a five-time All-American and a two-time Big 12 champ. Watching her lead the women’s 4x400m relay to their first national appearance since 1982 was a "pinch-me" moment for long-time fans. That relay team—Brooklyn Sandvig, Makayla Clark, Karynne David, and Joseph—clocked a school-record 3:29.68 at regionals. Basically, they're running at a speed ISU fans haven't seen in over four decades.
And it’s not just the women. Mikey McClain is doing things no Cyclone man has done since the 1920s. He became the first ISU man to reach nationals in the 200m since 1928. Think about that for a second. That is nearly a century of track history that he just rewrote. His 20.30 mark in the 200m is now the gold standard in Ames.
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Why the distance squad is still the engine
Even with the sprint surge, the distance guys are still the backbone of the team's point totals. In the most recent Iowa State track results from the cross country season (which feeds directly into the indoor track momentum), the men's team snagged a third-place trophy at the NCAA Championships in Columbia, Missouri.
Robin Kwemoi Bera is the name you need to know here. He led the pack with a 15th-place individual finish, but the depth is what’s scary. Meshack Kimutai, Rodgers Kiplimo, and Joash Ruto all earned All-America status. When you have four guys finishing in the top 40 nationally, you're not just a good team; you're a problem for everyone else in the Big 12.
Sub-4 minute miles are the new normal
Under Coach Jeremy Sudbury, the "Sub-4" mile has become almost routine. It's kinda crazy to say that, but the stats back it up.
- Emanuel Galdino set the school record at 3:54.23.
- Devan Kipyego was literally one-hundredth of a second behind him.
- Four different runners broke the barrier in the 2025 season alone.
Nine of the thirteen fastest milers in Iowa State history have run under the current coaching staff. That tells you the training block in Ames is working better than almost anywhere else in the Midwest.
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Breaking down the 2025 Big 12 Outdoor Championship
When the dust settled at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in May 2025, the men walked away with a 5th-place finish. Some might look at "5th" and think it's average, but you've gotta remember the Big 12 is arguably the deepest track conference in the country.
The women finished 12th, but their individual highlights—like Joseph’s 400m dominance—showed a team that is top-heavy with elite talent even if they lack the overall numbers of a Texas or Oklahoma State.
What to watch for in the 2026 season
We are currently in the thick of the 2026 indoor season. If you're looking for the latest Iowa State track results, the Bill Bergan Classic (held today, January 16, 2026) is the first major litmus test at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center.
The schedule for the rest of the year is grueling but designed to get these athletes to the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville this March. Keep an eye on the Tyson Invitational in mid-February. That's usually where the sprinters like McClain and Joseph drop their fastest times of the year because the competition is so fast.
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Key names for 2026:
- Hanson King (Throws): He’s been consistently hitting marks in the weight throw that put him in the top 15 nationally.
- Emma Havighurst (Hurdles): A standout freshman who’s already clocking 8.53 in the 60m hurdles.
- Ty Koehnk (Sprints): He’s shown massive growth in the 300m and 400m during the early season meets.
The "Lied" advantage
You can't talk about Iowa State track results without mentioning the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. It has one of the largest indoor tracks in the world—a 300-meter oversized track. While it means some times don't count for "official" NCAA qualifying (which usually requires a 200m banked track), it's an incredible training tool. It allows the athletes to run at top speed with less stress on their joints from tight curves.
This facility is a huge reason why ISU is able to recruit elite talent to a place where it snows six months a year.
Actionable insights for fans and recruits
If you are tracking these results to see where the program is headed, here is the reality: Iowa State is no longer a "one-trick pony" distance school. They are building a balanced roster that can score in the shot put, the 200m, and the steeplechase.
- For fans: Follow the live results via TFRRS (Track & Field Results Reporting System). It’s the most accurate way to see split times and heat winners in real-time.
- For recruits: Look at the "Event Squad" rankings. In 2025, ISU had five different event groups (800m, 5K, Weight Throw, Mile, 3K) ranked in the top 10 nationally. This shows the coaching depth isn't just limited to one specialist.
- Attend the meets: The Cyclone Twilight on May 8, 2026, is the best chance to see these athletes in person before the postseason kicks off.
The trajectory is clear. Between the 13 school records broken last year and the third-place national trophy in cross country, the Cyclones are in the middle of a golden era. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore track nut, these Iowa State track results are a sign that the landscape of Big 12 track and field has shifted toward Ames.
To keep up with the progress of the 2026 indoor season, check the official Iowa State Athletics performance lists, which update weekly after every Friday meet. This is the best way to see who is climbing the national rankings and who is likely to punch their ticket to the NCAA Indoor Championships in March. Watching the progression of the 4x400m relay splits specifically will tell you if the women's team is on track to repeat their historic 2025 run.