Koll Runs Away With NCAA 10K Championship

DES MOINES, Iowa- Iowa State's Lisa Koll secured her spot among the greatest athletes to ever compete in a Cyclone uniform Thursday night as she was crowned the nation's best 10,000-meter runner at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

“I don't even know what to say,” said Koll. “I wanted to run fast tonight because the weather was perfect. The crowd helped a lot. Being at Drake, at nationals, and having the crowd cheer as loud as they did was amazing. To finally have the chance and the opportunity was great. It was something really special.”

Over 9,600 fans packed the Jim Duncan Track to watch the home-state hero make history, becoming the first Cyclone female athlete since 1991 to win an NCAA title. When the gun sounded, Koll stayed tight with the pack for the first two laps and then she made her move leaving the field behind. With 10 laps to go, the Fort Dodge native grew stonger and stronger lapping other competitors and cruised to a first-place finish with a time of 32:44.95 earning her fifth All-American honor. Coming down the final homestretch, Koll received a thunderous roar of applause as she crossed the finish line. Adding to Koll's successful night, her time broke Drake's stadium record that has been intact since 1988.

“I don't think I can give you words to explain how happy I am for Lisa,” said head coach Corey Ihmels. “What she did today, at home, and the way she did it, speaks volumes of her character and the type of person she is. Having to run that far alone is tough, but having the crowd into the race and cheering for her each lap was unbelievable. I am very proud of her accomplishments, not only today, but her entire season.”

To cap off a terrific night for all Cyclone fans, Koll stood proud on the top of the victory stand infront of the homestretch with her award.

Thursday night's 10k will not be Koll's final run of the season. The sophomore in track will compete in the Olympic Trials in an attempt to make the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Koll was not the only Cyclone to impress the crowd. Junior Grace Kemmey performed near the top of her game in the same race finishing 10th with a time of 34:27.42. The Kenyan native has been unsung but has been a tremendous addition to the squad.

“Grace did a great job and I am really proud of her,” said Ihmels. “She has had a great year and was an All-American in cross country and has trained really hard. She came to Iowa State as a good runner and now she is a great runner. This just bodes well for her, finishing in the top-10 at Nationals after being an All-American in cross country. She has done great things in her first year at Iowa State.”

“Not only are we excited about where the program is going and the vision, we're just excited that these wonderful two ladies represent our university in a fine fashion.”

Women's 10,000-meter run
1.) Lisa Koll, Iowa State, 32:44.95. 10.) Grace Kemmey, Iowa State, 34:27.42.

Koll's Accomplishments Revisited

2008
- Won NCAA national title in the 10,000-meter run earning her fifth All-American honor
- Broke the American collegiate record in the 10k at the Stanford Invitational
- Broke school record in the 10,000-meter run
- Earned indoor All-American honors in the 3,000 and 5,000
- Named ISU's Female Athlete of the Year
- Named USATF and Big 12 Athlete of the Week on April 7
- Won Big 12 title in the 10,000-meter run for the second straight year
- Crowned Big 12 Conference champion in the indoor 5k
- Crowned champion in the 5k at the Drake Relays

2007
- Cross country All-American
- Two-time track and field All-American in the 5k and 10k
- Named to the Division I Cross Country All-Region team
- Big 12 Outdoor Conference Champion in the 10,000-meter run
- Broke indoor school records in the 3k and 5k
- Broke outdoor school record in the 5,000-meter run

2006
- Cross country All-American
- Named to the Division I Cross Country All-Region team

Academics
- Graduated Suma Cum Laude in only three years at ISU
- First Team Academic Big 12 honoree three straight years