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Iowa State University Athletics
Elahi Captures ISU Record, Looks for Big 12 Title
02.22.2011 | Track and Field
AMES, Iowa – At the 2010 Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships, then-sophomore Iowa Stater Kianna Elahi missed out on the conference title in the 600-yard run by .13 seconds on the Lied Center's Harry Hoak Track. The title went to Kansas' Taylor Washington.
At the 2011 Iowa State Classic on Feb. 12, the now-junior Elahi got to see Washington again on the Cyclone's home track. This time, Elahi came away on top, not only with the 600-yard run meet title and a personal best time of 1:19.61, but with a school record as well.
The mark had previously been set in 1987 by 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Nawal El Moutawakel.
“Last year at conference I ran 1:20.61 and the previous school record was 1:20.10,” Elahi said. “At that point I thought it was something that was obtainable. It was definitely something I wanted to do by the end of my senior year. I didn't think it would happen at the ISU Classic, so I was kind of caught off guard.”
Elahi will compete for the 600-yard conference title Feb. 25-26 at the 2011 Big 12 Indoor Championships in Lincoln, Neb.
“In the 600-yard run, she's got a great finish,” Iowa State sprints coach Nate Wiens said. “That's her race. She's become more patient and confident in herself within the last year. She knows her race and knows her ability to run that race better. We went into the 600-yard run at the ISU Classic with a pretty good strategy and she executed it perfectly. I think it gives her a lot of confidence going into the Big 12 meet.”
Elahi, an Omaha, Neb. native, will be competing for a conference title in her home state.
“I really prefer competing on our track,” Elahi said. “I like being in Nebraska, but the 200-meter track is intimidating as far as running a 600-yard race. Because the track is smaller, it means running an extra lap in my race, so it's a bit harder mentally.”
Since the 600-yard run is not an event contested at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning the title at the Big 12 Indoor Championships is one of the highest honors for an athlete running this race.
“You can't really go much further than conference with the 600-yard run, but it's not something that's ever bothered me.” Elahi said. “I enjoy getting the break between the indoor and outdoor seasons. It's nice to have the conference goal to work towards indoors and then work towards improving in the 400-meter hurdles outdoors.”
The hurdler credits much of her collegiate success to her training group.
“This year I've been training with Donnise and (freshman) Jessica Nichols,” Elahi said. “It has been really nice to be able to add another person to our training group each year. Having training partners makes the work a lot easier and it really helps to always have someone pushing you.”
Wiens agrees.
“When you put together a training group like we have for the 600-yard run with Kianna and Donnise, it ultimately makes them both better athletes,” Wiens said. “She and Donnise both run the 400-meter hurdles outdoors and train well together on a daily basis, and that's one of our strengths.”
The prelims of the 600-yard run will be contested Friday at 4:35 p.m. CST on the Bob Devaney Center track.
At the 2011 Iowa State Classic on Feb. 12, the now-junior Elahi got to see Washington again on the Cyclone's home track. This time, Elahi came away on top, not only with the 600-yard run meet title and a personal best time of 1:19.61, but with a school record as well.
The mark had previously been set in 1987 by 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Nawal El Moutawakel.
“Last year at conference I ran 1:20.61 and the previous school record was 1:20.10,” Elahi said. “At that point I thought it was something that was obtainable. It was definitely something I wanted to do by the end of my senior year. I didn't think it would happen at the ISU Classic, so I was kind of caught off guard.”
Elahi will compete for the 600-yard conference title Feb. 25-26 at the 2011 Big 12 Indoor Championships in Lincoln, Neb.
“In the 600-yard run, she's got a great finish,” Iowa State sprints coach Nate Wiens said. “That's her race. She's become more patient and confident in herself within the last year. She knows her race and knows her ability to run that race better. We went into the 600-yard run at the ISU Classic with a pretty good strategy and she executed it perfectly. I think it gives her a lot of confidence going into the Big 12 meet.”
Elahi, an Omaha, Neb. native, will be competing for a conference title in her home state.
“I really prefer competing on our track,” Elahi said. “I like being in Nebraska, but the 200-meter track is intimidating as far as running a 600-yard race. Because the track is smaller, it means running an extra lap in my race, so it's a bit harder mentally.”
Since the 600-yard run is not an event contested at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning the title at the Big 12 Indoor Championships is one of the highest honors for an athlete running this race.
“You can't really go much further than conference with the 600-yard run, but it's not something that's ever bothered me.” Elahi said. “I enjoy getting the break between the indoor and outdoor seasons. It's nice to have the conference goal to work towards indoors and then work towards improving in the 400-meter hurdles outdoors.”
The hurdler credits much of her collegiate success to her training group.
“This year I've been training with Donnise and (freshman) Jessica Nichols,” Elahi said. “It has been really nice to be able to add another person to our training group each year. Having training partners makes the work a lot easier and it really helps to always have someone pushing you.”
Wiens agrees.
“When you put together a training group like we have for the 600-yard run with Kianna and Donnise, it ultimately makes them both better athletes,” Wiens said. “She and Donnise both run the 400-meter hurdles outdoors and train well together on a daily basis, and that's one of our strengths.”
The prelims of the 600-yard run will be contested Friday at 4:35 p.m. CST on the Bob Devaney Center track.
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