Uhl Runs With Nationally Ranked Team

AMES, Iowa?Sophomore Iowa State cross country runner Kiel Uhl started his sophomore season right where he left off as a freshman, running in the top pack. Uhl returns this season with more goals and a better team right behind him.

Although Uhl was crowned the U.S. junior national champion last year and went on to represent the United States at the Junior World Championship in Japan, he says he looks at this season as a time to accomplish more.

“As nice as it was being the junior national champion I think it's a lot greater honor to be an NCAA champion,” Uhl said. “The level of competition is a little higher at the NCAA level than the U.S. junior level. The world competition was pretty intense, but I feel like it's a lot greater honor to do it competing as part of a team at Iowa State.”

Uhl's next action will be at the NCAA Pre-Meet on Oct. 14 in Terre Haute, Ind., a dress rehearsal for the NCAA meet. ISU hopes to be a part of the national championship race the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Uhl's teammates give the Cyclones greater depth this fall. After a summer of consistent training, Uhl is prepared to lead Iowa State cross country to a higher level of success.

“I think he's picked up where he left off and is actually a little bit above where he was,” men's cross country head coach Corey Ihmels said. “Kiel's a pretty confident guy and he's just really focused on what he wants to do. He's willing to do what it takes to get to that next level.”

Now ranked No. 21 in the nation after taking a strong fifth place as a team at the Roy Griak Invitational held last month in Minneapolis, Minn., the ISU men's cross country team is finding itself in the hunt for national success.

“It's so much sweeter to have a team that's able to run with you and able to run as the No. 21 team,” Uhl said. “Having a team behind me is a lot more supportive and a lot more fun. I think we're going to have a really good time this year.”

Along with Uhl at the front of each race is teammate and friend Guor Majak. Majak, born and raised in the Sudan, sat out last season as a redshirt. He links Uhl's strong running abilities to his own success so far this season.

“Training with Kiel has given me a lot of motivation,” Majak said. “We always train together and it's improved my ability to be able to keep up with him. Kiel is there every race and it's helped me.”

Although Majak sees Uhl as his motivation, Uhl said he sees Majak as his biggest competitor. Prior to the start of the 2006 season, Ihmels made it a point to address the success that could be had, but also the failure that could arise.

“Two people so talented and competitive can be detrimental to their training, so I talked to them at the beginning of the year and reminded them to help each other,” Ihmels said. “It's important not to get caught up with racing in practice. It's helping each other out and not running each other into the ground. They're both very mature for their age.”

Ihmels said he credits Uhl's family for helping him have an attitude that is ahead of his years and that makes him such a strong leader for the team. Uhl agrees.

“Wherever I race and whatever I do, I realize I'm doing it in front of them,” Uhl said. “It's just a lot of motivation and a lot of support for what I'm doing. It makes it worth it.”

With the season in full swing, Uhl looks forward to the Big 12 Championship, the NCAA Midwest Regional and a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships once again. For Uhl, it's simple.

“It's just a race attitude,” Uhl said. “I just know I need to be in the front.”