Completed Event: Track and Field at 44 Farms Team Invite on April 11, 2025 ,
Final
Track and Field
44 Farms Team Invite
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Iowa State University Athletics
Iowa State Ready For Big 12 Track Championships
02.24.2009 | Track and Field
AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State track and field heads to College Station, Texas for the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday. Texas A&M will play host to the event at the newly completed Gilliam Indoor Track and Field Center. The track will also be the sight of the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
“I've been pleased with our progress and I think the team is really coming around,” Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels said. “Now we will see where we stack up against the rest of the Big 12 Conference.”
“I've been pleased with our progress and I think the team is really coming around,” Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels said. “Now we will see where we stack up against the rest of the Big 12 Conference.”
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Leading the Cyclones will be five-time All-American Lisa Koll. In 2008, the Fort Dodge native set the American collegiate record for the 10,000-meter run at the Stanford Invitational with time of 32:11.13. She went on to win that race at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This season, Koll finished first in the 3,000-meter run at the ISU Open with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 9:09.92. She is the defending Big 12 indoor 5,000-meter champion.
“We know what Lisa can do,” Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels said. “We also know that the competition with (NCAA steeplechase champion) Jenny Berringer (Colorado) running 15:01 (second-fastest American time ever) two weeks ago and with Sally Kipyego, a seven-time NCAA champion, will make the 5,000-meters be like a national championship event.”
Senior Grace Kemmey will also be a key contributor for Iowa State. Kemmey finished second to Koll in the 5,000-meter race last year at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. The cross country All-American also finished seventh in the 3,000-meter run. This year, Kemmey finished third in the 3,000-meter run at the ISU Open with a time of 9:56.65.
“Grace was the runner up to Lisa last season in the 5,000 and should be there to score some key points for us,” Ihmels said. “I also have been encouraged by the progress of Meghan Nelson and Paige Ties in the distance events this season.”
Jenna Caffrey ran to her season-best in the 60-meter hurdles at the perfect time. The Burlington native placed fourth at the ISU Classic with a time of 8.47, just off her career best of 8.42. Caffrey has placed first in the 60-meter hurdles in both the ISU Open and the ISU Holiday Preview this season. She will also compete in the heptathlon, an event in which she has the fifth-best scoring total this season.
“This indoor season has been an education for Jenna in the multi-events,” Ihmels said. “But we expect that she has the athletic ability to really make some noise for us in the future.”
Freshman sensation Kianna Elahi hopes to continue her stellar season this weekend. The Omaha, Neb. native has finished first in two of her last three races this season in the 600-yard run. With a career best time of 1:22.44, Elahi looks to be a contender in the 600-yard run this weekend.
“Kianna has had a great freshman season so far,” Ihmels said. “I think she and Erin Penticoff are ready to be really competitive and score points in the middle distance events.”
Tiffanie Synacek placed first in the high jump at the UNI-Dome Open, clearing a height of 5-6. The sophomore placed third in the high jump at last year's Big 12 Indoor Championships, with a then career-best mark 5-08.75.
Senior Kiel Uhl and sophomore Guor Marial both hit NCAA provisional qualifying marks in the 3,000-meter run at the ISU Open. Marial, a junior, was a cross country All-American. Bor placed first in the mile at the ISU Classic with a time of 4:04.58.
“Kiel, Guor and Hillary all had made major contributions in cross country,” Ihmels said. “Hillary, obviously being an All-American in the steeplechase last year, is ready. All three ran well at the ISU Classic two weeks ago and are ready to compete.”
Senior Zach Brouillette and sophomore Luke Pinkelman lead the men's throwers for Iowa State. Brouilette hit his NCAA provisional mark in the weight throw at the Husker Invitational with a toss of 65-04.75. Pinkelman got his season best in the shot put at the ISU Classic with an effort of 58-08.75.
“Zac has the third-best weight throw in the conference this season and Luke has the second-best shot put effort,” Ihmels said. “I think both guys have done really well this season and I'm anxious to see how they will stack up in the Big 12.”
Eric Parker, a 60-meter hurdle specialist, will hope to better his career-best time of 7.94. The junior hurdler finished first in the 60-meter hurdles at the ISU Holiday Preview and the UNI-Dome Open.
“Eric is really excited with how he is running now,” Ihmels said. “Last weekend's effort puts him among the Big 12's top six hurdlers and that has given him confidence heading into the conference meet.”
Sprinters James Galvan and Elphas Sang finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 800-meter run at the ISU Classic. Both runners' marks were good enough for the NCAA provisional standard, and will both travel to College Station this weekend.
“James was second last season in the 800-meters and Elphas has made great progress here of late so I think both are ready to run,” Ihmels said.
Running events begin at 2 p.m. on Friday with the women's 60 meter hurdles. Live action from the 2009 Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championships will be video streamed for free on the Big 12 Conference's official web site, Big12sports.com, as well as AggieAthletics.com
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