The Iowa State Cyclones secured three event victories and five top-10 program performances during the opening day of the DeLoss Dodds Invitational in Manhattan, Kansas. Hosted by Kansas State at the Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track, the meet featured strong showings in distance events and field competitions. Kansas State's ranked programs set the stage for competitive action amid a World Athletics Indoor Tour stop.
On January 30, 2026, the DeLoss Dodds Invitational kicked off at the Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track in Manhattan, Kansas, with Kansas State hosting the event as their men's team entered ranked No. 3 nationally and the women's team at No. 34. The meet drew ranked squads including No. 6 Oklahoma men, No. 19 Baylor women, and No. 27 Air Force men, blending collegiate talent with international stars during a World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze segment from 7 to 9 p.m.
Iowa State's Cyclones shone in the distance races, capturing two titles in the 3,000 meters. Betty Kipkore won the women's event in 8:59.90, shattering the facility and meet record while posting the second-fastest time in program history, just behind Lisa Koll's 2010 mark of 8:56.09. Teammate Mercyline Kirwa finished second at 9:01.10, the fourth-best Iowa State performance ever. In the men's 3,000m, Rodgers Kiplimo claimed victory with a personal record of 7:51.99, ranking No. 9 in program history, followed by Meshack Kimutai in second at 7:54.30.
Makayla Clark added another title in the women's 800m, clocking 2:07.16, with newcomer Emma Vorpagel taking second at 2:08.78, a new indoor best. In field events, Sydney Willits placed fourth in the World Athletics women's long jump with 21-0 1/2 (6.41m) among professionals and top collegians. The men's weight throw saw Garret Wagner finish fourth at 68-11 1/4 (21.01m), a season best, and Zach Verzani sixth at 67-4 (20.52m), a personal record that elevated him to No. 6 in Iowa State history.
Multi-event competitors also performed well: Maia Denge-Hagen scored 3,793 in the women's pentathlon, the fifth-highest in program history with personal records in three events. In the men's heptathlon after day one, Cooper Spurgeon stood 13th with 2,702 points, and Tristan Rheingans 16th with 2,594. Other notables included Amari Laing's seventh in women's long jump invite at 19-3 1/2 (5.88m), and Jon Rice and Justin Gleason tying for 11th-12th in men's long jump at 21-8 3/4 (6.62m) each.
The invitational continues on January 31, with additional Cyclones competing at the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston.
