AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State cross country teams prepare for their return to the course after enjoying an abundance of success in 2023. Both the Cyclone men and women posted team finishes in the top 20 at the NCAA Championships.

“I am looking forward to the Fall 2024 Cross Country Season as our returning athletes are coming off a historic spring,” said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jeremy Sudbury. Women’s Cross Country Head Coach Amy Rudolph shared similar sentiments, stating “I am really excited for the 2024 Cross Country season and opening things up with our home meet at the end of August. Our schedule this year really sets us up to do well in championship season with the goal being the national meet.”

Last season, the men earned their eighth ever top-5 finish at the NCAA Championships in Virginia, finishing fifth as Sanele Masondo and Rodgers Rotich earned individual All-America status. The women were 20th, led by fifth-year seniors Madelynn Hill, Dana Feyen and Janette Schraft.

“After losing three of our top five from last year, I am looking forward to seeing our upperclassmen lead this team with a very deep sophomore and freshman class,” said Rudolph. “We will again see many changes within our top seven throughout the season which gives us an advantage having that kind of depth.”

This season, ISU once again opens the year hosting the Cyclone Preview in Ames. The meet takes place on Friday, August 30 at the Cyclone Cross Country Course. Last season, the Iowa State men’s and women’s squads dominated the rest of the fields to take both team titles in front of a sea of Cardinal & Gold. It is the second time in as many seasons that Ames will host a regular season cross country meet. ISU had not hosted a regular season meet since the 2012 Iowa Intercollegiate prior to last year.

“The Cyclone Preview at home this year will be a great chance to engage with our fans and run on our beautiful course, we hope to have a nice crowd come out and support our athletes,” said Sudbury.

More details on the Cyclone Preview, including parking and fan information, can be found here.

Iowa State will also prep for the 2024 NCAA Championships, held this year in Madison, Wisconsin twice with the Nuttycombe Invitational and the Wisconsin Pre-National meet. The Cyclones will make the trek to Madison first on September 27 for Nuttycombe before returning October 19 for Pre-Nationals.

“We are going all-in on getting to know the National Course in Madison, Wisconsin by racing there twice in the regular season,” said Sudbury. “I’ve always felt if you can learn how to run that course it’ll pay huge dividends in the post-season.”

Following Pre-Nationals, the Cyclones will travel to Waco to compete at the Big 12 Championships on November 1. Last season the women finished third behind then-top 10 squads BYU and Oklahoma State while the men were fourth overall. Hill, Schraft, Maelle Porcher and Said Mechaal all earned All-Conference honors with top-15 individual finishes.

After a two-week break, Iowa State will return to action on November 15 at the NCAA Midwest Regional held in Peoria, Illinois. Last season, both the men’s and women’s squads finished second in Stillwater to earn automatic bids to the NCAA Championships. The season will conclude with the national championship meet, held on November 23 in Madison, Wisconsin.