Completed Event: Cross Country versus Cyclone Preview on August 29, 2025 , , Men: 1st, Women: 1st
Final
Cross Country
Cyclone Preview
Men: 1st, Women: 1st
Iowa State University Athletics
Q&A with Cross Country Head Coach Cory Ihmels
09.07.2007 | Cross Country
How has the transition been from being just the men's cross country coach, to coaching the men's and women's cross country squads?
“Its been a really good transition with the women joining the men. We went to team camp two weeks ago, and, to be honest, it could have gone one of two ways. It could have gone really well or it could have gone not so well. I think it went really well. Those four or five days really enabled us to come together as a team. I feel that we had that time together as a group and left camp as one squad. I think that the transition has been very smooth.”
In the early part of the season (Sept.), how do you manage training regimens?
“Training is one thing we've definitely changed this year from past years. I think it's a little bit of a mark of where our program has gone. We're at a point now where we can do the base work in the early fall and not worry about the early season races. We can train through those early phases and that's going to enable us to run better at the end of the year. I think that's something early on we couldn't do, because we didn't have that luxury. But now that's something we can do because we have established some things.”
Who on the men's team do you expect to step up this year?
“I think our first two or three are as good as any first two or three in the Big 12, realistically. Kiel Uhl has been in the top 10 in both years. Guor Majak was one of the top underclassman in the 3,000 and 5,000-meters indoors, and the 5,000-meters and 10,000-meters outdoors. He's really stepped up the training this summer. I think along with those two guys and a couple of new additions we can have a formidable top three.”
How is the depth looking for this year's men's squad?
“Our men's team is pretty deep right now. It would be tough for me right now to nail down seven guys, especially numbers four through seven. I think I've got seven, eight, maybe 10 guys vying for those positions. A lot of guys have put in good work this summer, and I think that's the mark of the program getting to the next level.”
What are you expecting in Big 12 men's competition?
“Now is our opportunity. The Big 12 is going to be tough, it's always going to be a good conference. But, I think when you consider where we've been the last few years, I think now is the time we've got to move up from sixth position to the second, third or fourth position. We've got to get that done this year. I think the guys on the team expect that.”
How is the women's team looking?
“I really don't think coaching women is any different from coaching men. I think a good athlete is a good athlete, whether it's male or female. One thing I've stressed to the women from day one is that I'm not going to handicap them because they're female, they're going to run the same amount of time that the men do, they may just run a little less distance. I think the women have really bought in to what we're doing. I think they're going to make our men's team better, and I think our men's team is going to make our women's team better. They've really come together as a group, I'm real excited at where the women are at and what we can achieve this fall.”
Lisa Koll (All-American,
“Obviously the coaching staff, prior to me taking over the head coaching position did a great job. Lisa has really progressed from being just an okay distance runner in high school to one of the best females in the Big 12. I think she just decided at one point, that she's going to work very hard and she's going to see how good she can get. She continues to amaze me every day at practice. Lisa had a great summer training, her training this fall has been great, and I just really feel that she's ready to do some special things this fall. She's been a team leader for the women from day one, and has made my job a lot easier, just the way she comes to practice and acts every day.”
What are your expectations for the women this season?
“On the women's side we have good depth, we have good numbers, but we're just a little young. I think the training and what my expectations are new for the women. We're going to have some bumps along the road with that, but by the end of the year, I hope we have eight, nine or 10 women vying for those top seven positions. I think we're going to have the same depth the men do now.”
How big is experience in a sport like cross country?
“Anytime you go through something the first time, it's a little bit of a trial run, especially in cross country. It's such a long event and you're out there for such a long period of time. Just going through the motions, especially the big invitationals, the Griak Invitational, the Big 12 Meet and the NCAA meet, all those challenges are a different experience in themselves. Having gone through those before, you're a little bit more savvy, you understand what's expected. That is something Lisa is going to lend to the rest of the group and I hope will be a foundation for the rest of the girls.”
What are your expectations in general for
“Our expectations are to get into the top half of the league, and maybe for this group that may be a high expectation at this point, but that's where they have to think they belong. We need some things to fall into place, and if some of the young ladies really come along, that's not that far out of reach. I think they believe in it and I definitely believe in it, and sometimes that's half the battle. If we expect anything less, it's not worth doing.”
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