Ruto Named Big 12 Men's Newcomer of the Year

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State cross country freshman Joash Ruto has been named the Big 12 Conference Men's Newcomer of the Year as announced by the league office Thursday afternoon.

Ruto helped the Cyclones to their second NCAA runner-up finish in four seasons, finishing 34^th at the NCAA Championships in Madison, Wisconsin in late November. The Nakuru, Kenya native ran among the top 15 for the first 3K of the race before he got tangled up with another runner and fell 70 places in the standings to 83^rd. His impressive climb back into the top 40 helped Iowa State capture its third top five finish in four seasons. He earned All-America honors in his rookie season.

Prior to the national championship meet, Ruto ran against a loaded field at the Big 12 Championship in Waco, Texas. In his first meet as a Cyclone, he helped Iowa State to a third place finish and finished 13^th individually to earn All-Big 12 status.

Ruto will move to the indoor track and field season with Iowa State. The Cyclones begin regular season action this weekend in Boston at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.

Players Mentioned

Joash Ruto

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics