Koll Set for NCAA Championships

AMES, Iowa - To climax an outstanding indoor season, Iowa State senior Lisa Koll is set to compete in this weekend's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. The seven-time All-American automatically qualified for the 3,000-meter run and the 5,000-meter run, and is currently ranked first nationally in both events, respectively. Koll was named the Midwest Region Female Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year Thursday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA).

"We're excited," Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels said. "Lisa has worked really hard to get to this point, and to have the opportunity to run at nationals. She's got high expectations going into the weekend. We hope she gets out there and does what she's capable of doing. I think if she does that, everything will work out well."

Koll automatically qualified for the 5,000-meter run at the 2010 ISU Classic, with a time of 15:29.65. Her time also set new school and track records, making her the second-fastest American collegiate performer ever on any indoor track to run the event. The Fort Dodge native was named the Big 12 Conference's most outstanding performer at the league indoor track and field meet, Feb. 26-27 in Ames. Koll cruised to a victory in the women's 5,000 meters, clocking a 15:41.57 for a Big 12 meet record. The senior followed that performance with a crown in the 3,000 meters (8:56.09), in a time that shattered the previous Big 12 meet mark (9:11.41) and automatically qualified her for the NCAA Championships.

The 5,000-meter run is scheduled to begin at 8:20 p.m. Friday. The 3,000-meter run will take place at 8:10 p.m. on Saturday at the Randall Tyson Track Center.

Players Mentioned

Lisa Koll

Lisa Koll

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics