Koll, Kemmey Earn All-American Honors

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.- Iowa State's Lisa Koll and Grace Kemmey ran into the Cyclone records books Monday, earning All-American honors for their efforts on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Koll finished 18th in a field of 253 runners. Kemmey was 22nd. Iowa State's men's team placed 30th overall with Kiel Uhl being the first Cyclone finisher at 71st.

"Lisa and Grace did tremendous today," said head coach Corey Ihmels. "Lisa did exactly what we expected and was able to make that next big jump. Grace was an unknown coming in and did a great job. The way she ran the race was exciting. Both of them trained really hard all year and to see it come together was really exciting."

Koll, a junior from Fort Dodge, earned All-America honors for the second straight season finishing the 6,000-meter course in 20:40. Koll finished 36th overall in 2006.

"It means a lot to me to see where I have come this year compared to where I was last year," Koll said. "I was an All-American last year but it means a lot more this year because I have put myself in a position to become one of the top-10 runners in the country. I thought I could have finished better than I did, but I am really happy with the strides I have made this season and the confidence I have built."

Junior Grace Kemmey also joined the All-America club finishing in 20:46. Kemmey capped off a strong first season with the Cyclones, which was highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the Midwest Regional and a fifth-place finish in the Big 12 Conference meet.

"Being an All-American feels good," said Kemmey. "Now that I know that I can be an All-American, it gives me confidence going into next season. I will come out next year and be ready to go for it again."

In the men's 10,000-meter race, junior Kiel Uhl of Des Moines was first to cross the line for the team, finishing 71st overall with a time of 31:03. At the 2,000-meter mark, Uhl lost his balance and fell after getting tangled up with the pack, but still managed to finish in the top half.

Ihmels was disappointed in the season-ending finish but is optimistic that the Cyclones will be a threat again nationally next year.

"I felt like we had the potential to beat quite a few teams and that didn't happen today," said Ihmels. "It is frustrating and disappointing, but we have to move on and get ready for indoor track season. It has to be expected that we will return to nationals next year. This year was a big step for our program and hopefully we can get there and get it done again in 2008."

Next up for the Cyclones is indoor track and field. Iowa State plays host to the Holiday Preview meet Dec. 7 in the Lied Recreational Center.

ISU Women's Results

18.) Lisa Koll 20:40.00

22.) Grace Kemmey 20:46

ISU Men's Results

71.) Kiel Uhl 31:03

118.) Jayden Russ 31:28

131.) Guor Majak 31:38

153.) Hillary Bor 31:50

163.) Kevin Born 31:59

194.) Richard Newton 32:54

198.) Brandon Rooney 32:59

Players Mentioned

Hillary Bor

Lisa Koll

Lisa Koll

Richard Newton

Richard Newton

Brandon Rooney

Brandon Rooney

Jayden Russ

Jayden Russ

Kiel Uhl

Kiel Uhl

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