Koll and Williams Compete in Championships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- Iowa State distance runner Lisa Koll left her mark at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, recording a 12th-place finish in the 5,000-meter run with a clocking of 16:18.

The true freshman came into the NCAA championship meet with the nations 15^th best time. Over the course of her first track and field season, Koll has banked many accomplishments including smashing the school record in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:15 and finishing fifth at the Big 12 conference meet. Head coach Dick Lee thinks Koll's future as a Cyclone looks promising.

“Lisa had a fantastic season this year,” said head coach Dick Lee. “I think it was a breakthrough season and she made great strides over the course of the year. Today she ran a really gutsy race and was able to finish ahead of three kids that were ranked above her coming into the meet. I think if she would have had a little bit more time to recover things may have been a little bit different. Running three 5,000-meter races in three weeks is tough but she fought through it and did a great job.”

In her first ever national appearance, 60-meter hurdler and senior Rebecca Williams' effort of 8.33 seconds in the preliminary run came up just shy of qualifying her for finals. However, the conclusion of the NCAA national meet marks the end of a stellar indoor career for Williams. The Yuma, Ariz. native shattered the school record in the 60-meter hurdles formerly held by Olympian Aurelia Trywianska and went undefeated in this year's home meets, including an 8.19 career-best performance the won her a Big 12 crown.

“We were not able to make finals today, however, I am very proud of Rebecca for all of her accomplishments this season and throughout her career,” said sprints and hurdles coach Scott Roberts. “She is a Big 12 champion and a fierce competitor. She really had a magnificent season. I am really looking forward to the outdoor season, I think she will do great things.”

Tomorrow's NCAA competition will feature junior jumper Agata Kosuda. The Poland native is scheduled to compete in the triple jump at 5:30 p.m. The Cyclones kick off the outdoor season at Emporia, Kan., on March 15^th in the Emporia State Spring Twilight.