Iowa State breaks silence after being under fire as several athletes suspended ahead of Big 12 cross country championships

2024 Division I Men
Iowa State athletes during the Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championship in Verona, Wisconsin. (Photo by Getty Images)

Days after being under fire, Iowa State broke its silence as several men's cross country runners received suspensions for violating team rules on Monday. The suspensions took place ahead of the Big 12 cross country championships, which are scheduled on Friday at the Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.

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After rumors of disciplinary action being taken over the Iowa State men’s cross country team erupted on Friday night, the school's director of cross country and track and field, Jeremy Sudbury, confirmed the news on Monday. The identities of the suspended athletes and details of the violations have not been disclosed.

It's still not clear if the suspended athletes will be allowed to compete after the conclusion of the 2025 cross country season. Iowa State confirmed the news of multiple suspensions in a statement issued on Monday.

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“A few of our men’s cross country runners have been suspended for violating team rules. The Iowa State men’s cross country team is looking forward to competing at the Big 12 Championships this week. We will have no further comment at this time," the statement read.
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Following the latest poll, which was held at the end of August, the ISU was ranked No. 1 in the country by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

"Don’t foresee this impacting team performance": Iowa State director Jeremy Sudbury opens up on the effects of suspension on the team

Iowa State's Jeremy Sudbury confirmed the suspensions initially with The Stride Report. When asked about his opinion on the effect of suspension on the other team members, he said that the decision will make no difference.

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"The team you saw at Missouri is a team that is obviously going to do really, really well," Sudbury said, via The Stride Report. "No, I don’t foresee this impacting team performance this postseason."

The complete list of athletes on the Iowa State men’s cross country roster following the suspensions is given below.

  • Matthew Shelly
  • Aiden Monistere
  • Meshack Kimutai
  • Robin Kwemoi Bera
  • Allen Bonnesen
  • Isaac Rivera
  • Joash Ruto
  • Devan Kipyego
  • Seth Clevenger
  • Emanuel Galdino
  • Ryan Watts
  • Nathan Pestka
  • Rodgers Kiplimo
  • Hanibal Haile
  • Riley Simpson
  • Sanele Masondo
  • Matthew Shelly
  • Aiden Monistere
  • Meshack Kimutai
  • Robin Kwemoi Bera
  • Allen Bonnesen
  • Isaac Rivera
  • Joash Ruto
  • Devan Kipyego
  • Seth Clevenger
  • Emanuel Galdino
  • Ryan Watts
  • Nathan Pestka
  • Rodgers Kiplimo
  • Hanibal Haile
  • Riley Simpson
  • Sanele Masondo
  • Quinton Orr

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Edited by Janhavi Shinde
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