Uhl To Lead Prepared Men's Team

AMES, Iowa?The Iowa State men's cross country team will attempt to earn a bid to the 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championships in two weeks when they race on Saturday at the NCAA Cross Country Midwest Regional at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis, Minn.

“It all kind of comes to head this week,” said men's head coach Corey Ihmels. “I think that we've got to be third or fourth as a team in the region to have a chance to make it to nationals. I feel pretty confident going in and I think the guys are ready to go.”

The team will be led by sophomore Kiel Uhl who finished second at the 2005 Midwest regional meet. Uhl, who went on to compete at the 2005 national championships, finished eighth two weeks ago at the Big 12 Cross Country Championships.

“I think Kiel's really coming on at the right time of the year,” Ihmels said. “He's looked better the last two weeks than he has all year so I expect great things from him on Saturday and I think he expects great things out of himself too. He's got confidence coming into the race based on what he was able to do last year.”

Some of the biggest competition the Cyclones will face on the 10K course includes teams from Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Iowa.

“Those teams, including Iowa State, are the top five teams, but we can't let any other team sneak into that mix,” Ihmels said.

The 2006 NCAA Cross Country Midwest Regional will begin with the women's race at 11 a.m. and the men's race to follow at 12:15 p.m.