Women's DMR Earns NCAA Bronze

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Iowa State women cemented bronze in the distance medley relay, while Rodgers Kiplimo took sixth in the 5,000m to begin NCAA Indoor Championships. With the women and men scoring, Iowa State makes for the third year in a row for both to score at indoor nationals. The last time ISU did so was in 1989-92.

The squad of Makayla Clark, Jenna James, Riley Beach and Betty Kipkore, making the ISU women's DMR debut in the NCAA era, battled the stacked field and came in third. Clark led off with the 1,200m leg and built a lead ahead of the competition. James then took the baton for the 400m and remained in the lead and handed off to Beach for the 800m. Next came Kipkore, who returns tomorrow in the 3,000m, and crossed the line in 10:50.17 (No. 2 ISU).

IOWA STATE FOR BRONZE.

Makayla, Jenna, Riley & Betty take third in the distance medley for First Team All-America! Six team points on the board.

⏱️10:50.17 ‣ No. 2 ISU pic.twitter.com/eDOaVwdbqv
— Iowa State Track & XC (@CycloneTrackXC) March 14, 2026

All four become First Team All-Americans for the first time of their track and field careers.

Kiplimo put the Iowa State men on the board taking sixth in the 5,000m for three points. Kiplimo is the seventh ISU man to earn First Team honors in the event. Robin Kwemoi Bera also ran with Kiplimo and took ninth, one spot short of first team. The duo become the 12th and 13th Cyclone All-Americans in the event, while the Iowa State men now total 18 All-America honors.

With just the top eight times moving on to the 400m final, Rachel Joseph made a statement in semifinals clocking a season best of 51.20 to win the first heat and go on to post the fourth-fastest time through four heats. Joseph is now set for her third straight NCAA 400m final.

Joseph's 51.20 is her third-fastest indoor time ever, and 12th-fastest overall through indoor and outdoor season. Joseph now owns the top 24 400m times at Iowa State.

Mercyline Kirwa took 15th in the 5,000m final to pick up Second Team All-America. Kirwa is the sixth Cyclone woman to earn All-America honors in the indoor 5,000m and totals the ninth total honor.

NCAA Championships conclude tomorrow, with two events for Iowa State. Joseph sprints in the 400m final at 4:50 p.m. and Kipkore runs the 3,000m at 6:10 p.m.

Iowa State Results

400m Semifinals (W): 1. Rachel Joseph, Iowa State – 51.20

5,000m Final (W): 1. Jane Hedengren, BYU – 15:00.12; 15. Mercyline Kirwa, Iowa State – 15:56.00

5,000m Final (M): 1. Habtom Samuel, New Mexico – 13:36.58; 6. Rodgers Kiplimo, Iowa State – 13:42.82; Robin Kwemoi Bera, Iowa State – 13:48.52

Distance Medley Relay (W): 1. Oregon – 10:48.76; 3. Iowa State (Clark, James, Beach, Kipkore) – 10:50.17 (No. 2 ISU)

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Players Mentioned

Riley Beach

Robin Kwemoi Bera

Makayla Clark

Jenna James

Rachel Joseph

Betty Kipkore

Rodgers Kiplimo

Mercyline Kirwa

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics