Iowa State Freshman Mercyline Kirwa Stuns Nation, Wins NCAA 10K Title
The college distance running world expected a two-woman showdown for the 10,000-meter national title. Iowa State freshman Mercyline Kirwa had other plans.
The Kenyan standout unleashed a devastating kick with 200 meters to go, sprinting past a pair of collegiate distance stars to claim her first NCAA title. Kirwa crossed the finish line in 31 minutes, 54.88 seconds on June 11 at the outdoor track and field championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
'Today, I was like, I can run with them and maintain their pace,' Kirwa said. 'If they go fast, I will just follow them.'
Indeed, she did. Kirwa closed the race with a blistering final 400-meter split of 1:01.84, leaving the competition in the dust.
Favorites Fall Behind as Kirwa Takes Charge
New Mexico sophomore Pamela Kosgei, the meet record-holder, finished second in 31:56.49. Brigham Young University freshman Jane Hedengren, the collegiate record-holder, took third in 31:57.94.
The stage was set Thursday for a highly anticipated showdown between Kosgei and Hedengren. Their back-and-forth battle during the 2026 outdoor season has been one of the sport's top storylines. Kosgei swept the 5K and 10K outdoor titles as a freshman in 2025, while Hedengren burst onto the scene this spring, setting collegiate records in both the 5K (14:50.5) and 10K (30:46.8).
At the bell, Hedengren appeared to be moving comfortably as she stepped into the lead. But when Kosgei and Kirwa made their move at the 200 mark, Hedengren could not match them.
'No, never,' Hedengren said when asked if she made a deliberate decision to let Kosgei and Kirwa go. 'I want to do the very best I can. You always fight to the finish; it would be a disservice to yourself not to make the most of the gift.'
Other Highlights from the NCAA Championships
While Kirwa's victory was a massive win for Iowa State, the NCAA championships featured several other standout performances:
- Amanda Moll Reclaims Pole Vault Record: The University of Washington pole vault star won the NCAA title with a personal-best mark of 15 feet, 10 1/2 inches, reclaiming the collegiate record from her twin sister, Hana, who took second (15-6 1/2). The sisters are now eyeing the July 3-4 Prefontaine Classic and potential Diamond League events in Europe.
- Adaejah Hodge Smashes 100 Record: Georgia freshman Adaejah Hodge smashed the NCAA record in the 100 prelims with a personal-best time of 10.63. The British Virgin Islands national now owns the fifth-fastest time in world history, eclipsing Sha'Carri Richardson's previous record of 10.72 from 2019.
- JaMeesia Ford Suffers Apparent Injury: South Carolina junior JaMeesia Ford, the reigning 200 national champion, pulled up with an apparent lower-body injury during her preliminary heat and did not finish the race. She had earlier qualified for Saturday's 100 final with a season-best 11.02.
Kirwa's stunning upset adds another chapter to Iowa State's rich distance running tradition and gives Cyclone fans plenty to cheer about as the track season continues.