WACO, Texas – The Iowa State women’s cross country team finished seventh at the 2024 Big 12 Cross Country Championships on Friday morning. Maelle Porcher led the Cyclones with a ninth-place individual finish to earn All-Big 12 honors for the second time in her ISU career.

“Today was a great day to get one last mega effort for our teams before moving to the NCAA Regional meet,” said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jeremy Sudbury.

Porcher finished among a pack of runners, edging BYU’s Carmen Alder for ninth place by over a half-second with her time of 19:58.18.

Bella Heikes (20:51.17) and Riley Beach (20:51.65) were the next scorers for Iowa State, finishing 40th and 41st, respectively. They were followed closely by freshman Ruby Hughes, who crossed the finish line in 21:06.42 for a 47th place finish.

Sheridan Wheeler (50th), Taylor Briggs (52nd) and Kiki Connell (61st) rounded out Cyclone scorers at the conference meet, helping Iowa State hold a comfortable advantage over Kansas, 171-230.

“The women put together their best race of the year and are trending the right way,” stated Sudbury. “Coach (Cale) Wallace has the group improving each week.”

Up Next
Iowa State travels to Peoria, Illinois for the 2024 NCAA Midwest Regional Championship. The Cyclones finished second in Stillwater last season to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. This year’s Midwest Regional is set to start at 11:00 a.m. on November 15.

Team Results
1. No. 1 BYU, 41; 2. No. 4 West Virginia, 60; 3. No. 6 Utah, 86; 4. No. 18 Oklahoma State, 103; 5. Texas Tech, 155; 6. Colorado, 165; 7. Iowa State, 171; 8. Kansas, 230; 9. Arizona State, 316; 10. Kansas State, 319; 11. Cincinnati, 320; 12. UCF, 350; 13. Baylor, 363; 14. TCU, 371; 15. Houston, 391; 16. Arizona, 463

Individual Results
1. Ceili McCabe, West Virginia, 19:02.60; 9. Maelle Porcher, Iowa State, 19:58.18; 40. Bella Heikes, Iowa State, 20:51.17; 41. Riley Beach, Iowa State, 20:51.65; 47. Ruby Hughes, Iowa State, 21:06.42; 50. Sheridan Wheeler, Iowa State, 21:09.91; 52. Taylor Briggs, Iowa State, 21:10.89; 61. Kiki Connell, Iowa State, 21:27.00; 62. Aspen Fulbright, Iowa State, 21:27.32; 65. Becca Heitzig, Iowa State, 21:33.36; 68. Ashlyn Keeney, Iowa State, 21:41.10

With a month remaining Iowa State controls its own destiny in the Big 12 race as well as the college football playoff. The 11th ranked Cyclones look to go 8-0 for the first time with a homecoming win over Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have fallen off the pace after back-to-back losses to Baylor and TCU and starting quarterback Behern Morton is questionable after being knocked out of last week’s game with an injury to his non throwing shoulder. Cyclone coach Matt Campbell says the Tech offense has been dangerous no matter who is under center.

Campbell says the Red Raiders have had success with a number of different quarterbacks the past few years.

Campbell says the bye week allowed the Cyclones to get healthy are prepared for the final month.

Brendan Sullivan gets his first start at quarterback for Iowa when the Hawkeyes host Wisconsin. The Northwestern transfer ignited the Hawkeyes to a 40-14 win over his former team and his ability to run gives them an added weapon. With Cade McNamara unavailable due to injury coach Kirk Ferentz would like to see Sullivan use his head when relying on his legs.

Both teams are 5-3 and Ferentz expects another tough and physical battle.

Ferentz remembers hist first game as Iowa coach against Wisconsin as a learning experience for the program. It was a 41-3 Badger victory in 1999.

 Class 8-Player State Second Round 

Pod A

Lenox – 41 vs Ar-We-Va – 6

Montezuma 32 Bedford 28

Pod D

Audubon – 42 vs Woodbine – 12

Remsen St. Mary’s – 42 vs CAM – 6

 Class A State Second Round 

Pod B

Tri-Center – 58 vs Riverside – 13

ACGC – 41 vs Mount Ayr 14

Class 1A State Second Round 

Pod C

Underwood – 21 vs Treynor – 20

Hinton – 21 vs OABCIG – 14

Pod D

Regina Catholic – 35 vs Woodward-Granger – 14

Class 2A State Second Round 

Pod A

Kuemper Catholic – 24 vs Central Lyon/George-Little Rock – 14

West Lyon – 42 vs Western Christian – 7

Pod D

Van Meter – 47 vs West Marshall – 0

Anamosa – 48 vs West Burlington – 20

Class 3A State First Round 

Pod D

Algona – 49 vs Harlan – 6

Mount Vernon – 42 vs Carroll – 6

Pod B

Nevada – 21 vs Bishop Heelan Catholic – 14

Pod B: Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 35 vs MOC-Floyd Valley – 17

Class 4A State First Round 

Pod D

Lewis Central – 28 vs Ballard – 10

ADM – 43 vs Spencer – 13