Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
May 4, 20201 min
Earlier today, Iowa State announced that Jason Gomez would be transferring into the program. Gomez previously attended Notre Dame de Namur, a university on the brink of closing its doors and ceasing operations. The California native will join the Cyclones with three years of outdoor track eligibility left.
During his time in Division Two, Gomez produced a strong personal best of 1:50.11 for 800 meters and qualified for the 2019 D2 Outdoor National Championships as a freshman. Gomez was the 2019 USATF U20 champion at 1500 meters and competed for the United States at the U20 Pan-American Games last year.
Gomez will be joining a team that had arguably the best group of 800 meter runners in the country this past winter. The trio of Festus Lagat (1:45 PR), Roshon Roomes (1:46 PR), and Daniel Nixon (1:47 PR) dominated the half-mile distance during the 2020 indoor season. The Cyclone contingent also produced three of the best 1000 meter times in the country, running 2:20.88 (Lagat), 2:21.29 (Roomes) and 2:21.56 (Nixon).
The introduction of Gomez to the Iowa State roster couldn't have come at a better time. Next winter, the Cyclones will be without Lagat, Roomes and Nixon (TFRRS lists all three men as seniors). That could extend into next spring if they opt to not use their extended spring eligibility.
However, Iowa State can now begin to rebuild their middle distance group around a young rising athlete who boasts championship experience and three years to improve.