I spent 20 years in Iowa, and have an ISU degree, so this story is somewhat compelling.
One of the things that I think is lost is that Iowa State didn't handle the situation very well. Offering no information whatsoever is not a good look...especially when they were ranked #1 at the time...and have a history of importing talent from Kenya
Let's say the rule breakers were taking tramadol or hydrocodone, not performance enhancing, but definitely on the banned substance list. Why wouldn't this information be shared? At the very least, the school could announce the rule violations were not performance enhancing drug related...
If the rule breakers were taking PEDs, an announcement like, "Iowa State has a zero tolerance policy for PED use...steps have been taken that all ISU competitors adhere to the strictest rules of fair athletics competition..."
The whole thing stinks. If they were using painkillers that are banned but not PEDs, I hope they're not addicted first...but then I hope the runners learn from their mistakes and have successful careers, no matter where they go to school.
If it was PED use, I just shake my head. I hear rumors all the time about the widespread nature of PED use in the NCAA, and it makes all of the fast running less enjoyable to watch as a fan.