Iowa State Reshapes Track Programs

AMES, Iowa ? The Iowa State Athletics Department has re-organized its coaching staffs for men's and women's track and cross country with an eye toward regaining its national prominence of the 1980s and 1990s.

Corey Ihmels, a six-time All-America long-distance runner at Iowa State and a member of the school's 1994 NCAA Championship cross country team, has been named his alma mater's Director of Men's and Women's Track and Cross Country. Ihmels will oversee the overall operation of both programs and will hire five assistant coaches to support that endeavor.

“Iowa State's outstanding national reputation in track and cross country emerged during the 16-year coaching tenure of Bill Bergan,” Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “That prominence was largely defined by the success of the long-distance program. We're giving Corey (Ihmels), one of the most-celebrated runners in Cyclone history and a former competitor for Coach Bergan, the responsibility of re-establishing our tradition of success.”

Pollard said the Bergan era ? which included 12 Big Eight Track Championships, 10 Big Eight Cross Country titles and two NCAA Cross Country Championships ? established a benchmark for the Cyclones.

“Corey is well positioned to elevate the competitive performance of our teams,” Pollard said. “He has mentored many of our current runners ? both men and women ? and has a keen understanding of the tradition and potential at ISU.”

The reorganization of the staff mirrors what has become the standard in the Big 12.

“Nine of our conference schools have combined men's and women's track and cross country programs,” Pollard said. “This is the most efficient and effective structure to operate a track program today. At Iowa State, our most successful teams historically have been dominated by excellence in long-distance running. It made sense for us to capitalize on the expertise and reputation that Corey possesses.”

Six of Iowa State's 18 intercollegiate sports ? cross country plus indoor and outdoor track on both the men's and women's sides ? will be under Ihmels' oversight.

“That certainly underlines the importance of returning to a level of prominence within our conference and nationally,” Pollard said. “As we strive to improve the competitive standing of Cyclone athletics, the track and cross country teams have a major role.”

Since being named head men's cross country and assistant track coach in 2001, Ihmels' runners have steadily improved. His 2006 team was fifth at the NCAA Regional Meet and barely missed qualifying for the NCAA Championship. Ihmels' prize pupil, Des Moines native Kiel Uhl, won the 2006 USA Junior National Cross Country title and has earned two at-large bids to the NCAA Meet. Ihmels also tutored David Rotich, the NCAA runner-up in the 2006 indoor mile.

“It is quite humbling for me to assume the coaching reins at Iowa State,” Ihmels said. “Many people have been instrumental in my track career as both a competitor and coach. Bill (Bergan) introduced me to Iowa State track almost 15 years ago and I'm as anxious to get started in my new role as I was when I lined up for my first race as a Cyclone.”

Ihmels, a 13-time North Dakota state high school champion and the Foot Locker national prep champion, was recruited to ISU in 1992. A sub four-minute miler, Ihmels was the Big 12's inaugural track MVP in 1997 after winning the mile and 1,000 at the indoor championship. His wife, Michelle, qualified for the 2000 Olympic Trials in two events and is a member of the University of Louisville Athletics Department Hall of Fame.

Five Iowa State coaches ? Steve Lynn (head men's track coach for 15 years), Dick Lee (head women's track coach for 21 years), Ron McEachran (assistant coach for jumps for 26 years), Scott Roberts (assistant coach for sprints and hurdles for 12 years) and Dan O'Mara (assistant coach for throws for 15 years) ? did not have their contracts renewed.

Lynn won Big Eight indoor and outdoor track titles in his first season as coach (replacing Bergan) in 1993 and added a conference outdoor championship the next season. He was Big Eight Coach of the Year in his rookie season. Jonah Koech (10,000 outdoors and 5,000 indoors) and Dmitry Drozdov (steeplechase) were NCAA champions for Lynn.

Lee coached 59 All-Americans and 53 conference champions during his tenure. Karen Glerum (mile) and Edith Nakiyingi (800 meters) were NCAA champions coached by Lee. He was named the Big Eight Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1990.

“As a new era begins for track and cross country at Iowa State, it's important to pay tribute to the dedicated coaching of Steve (Lynn), Dick (Lee), Ron (McEachran), Scott (Roberts) and Dan (O'Mara),” Ihmels said. “Their commitment to the well being of the student-athletes at Iowa State has set a standard that we can build upon.”

Players Mentioned

Kiel Uhl

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics