Elahi On Track For Success

AMES, Iowa ? Cyclone newcomer Kianna Elahi has been competing on the Iowa State track and field team for 2 ? months. Already, the freshman from Omaha, Neb. has shattered the Iowa State Holiday Preview 400-meter record. She has claimed four top-three finishes, a trio of which were first-place honors.

“I am kind of surprised with my success,” Elahi said. “I didn't think I would do as well as I'm doing as a freshman but it all depends on what you put into it and how hard you work.”

Elahi's second-place finish in the 600-yard run at last weekend's ISU Classic qualified her for the Big 12 Indoor Championship meet in College Station, Texas Feb. 27-28. Elahi raced to the finish at the Classic with an effort of 1:22.44.

“We're excited about Kianna's ability to step in and make a huge impact right away,” Iowa State head track and field coach Corey Ihmels said. “She comes to practice every day ready to get some work done and she is a great competitor and someone we can really start to build around.”

For most, the 600-yard run is a draining race. Its demands are similar to the 400-meter hurdles. Elahi was recruited for both at Iowa State. The Cyclone freshman holds the school record in the 300-meter hurdles at Omaha's Millard North high school.

“I kind of like the 600,” Elahi said. “At first I was afraid to do it and didn't want to do it but it's good for me because I did 400s in high school and it was hard for me to go that fast. So the 600 is easier because it is not as fast of a pace but it's not as long as an 800. For me, it's perfect.”

The track is not the only place Elahi is excelling and setting goals.

“My major right now is chemical engineering and ideally, if I have a good enough GPA, I want to go to medical school,” Elahi said. “But if I don't I would go to graduate school and be a chemical engineer.”

So far, so good.

Players Mentioned

Kianna Elahi

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics