Warner Getting Faster Every Day

AMES, Iowa - The goals of Iowa State junior sprinter Ian Warner have been clear since day one of fall training: become an All-American in the 100-meter dash and qualify for the Canadian Olympic Trials with the hopes of competing next to his older brother, Justyn. Justyn competed on the Canadian National Team last year and Ian has high hopes for joining him at the Olympic Games in London this summer.

"I'm running really consistent so I'm happy with the progress I'm making," Warner said. "I'm slowly getting faster and there is still a month left until regionals. I think I'm in a really good spot to get that All-America status. It's not going to be easy but I'm really looking forward to these next few weeks."

The top-48 times in each event will qualify for the NCAA West Regional Championship May 24-26 in Austin, Texas. Warner currently holds the 11th best time in the region, putting him well on his way to earning those highly sought after All-American honors.

"He's doing a great job of consistently dropping his times," Iowa State sprints coach Nate Wiens said. "We have a lot of confidence in him going into our post-season meets. He's really consistent regardless of what the conditions are when he races."

Warner ran a personal-best 10.33 in a windy 100-meter dash and for the first season anchored the 4x100-meter relay team that finished fifth at the Drake Relays.

"I really enjoy running the anchor leg," Warner said. "The group of guys on this relay team is relatively new so to be able to run well together without training it much says a lot."

The 4x100-meter relay is where Warner hopes to get his chance at being a member of the Canadian Olympic team.

"That's the ultimate goal," Warner said. "My brother has a good shot of making the team, so to be able to run on the same 4x100-meter relay as him at the Olympics and compete for Team Canada would be a great accomplishment."

Warner is described by sprints and hurdles coach Nate Wiens as being entrepreneurial among many other positive attributes. And entrepreneurial he is. He and his brother run a blog called Cover Ground where they write about what it takes to "Make Being a Great Athlete Easy." They also created their own clothing line, Parilexx, a brand many of his teammates and other student-athletes have supported, embraced and now wear around campus.

"I'm just trying to establish Parilexx and Cover Ground while I'm in college," Warner said. "I have another year of eligibility left but once I'm done with track, I plan on doing this full-time. It's been cool to see it grow."

Being a veteran among the Cyclone sprinters, Wiens has noticed how Warner has become a leader not only for the men's sprinters but for the women in their event group as well.

"Whenever anyone on the sprints team has a question, the first thing they do is look to Ian," Wiens said. "I think it's because he is so disciplined. He's always trying to make himself better."

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Ian Warner

Ian Warner

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