AMES, Iowa - An experienced group of runners return to the cross country course this fall for Iowa State. Five-time All-American Lisa Koll returns after red-shirting last season to lead the women's team, while the Cyclone men's team returns all but two of its top seven from a team that was 17th at the 2008 NCAA National Championships.
"Both men's and women's teams have high expectations as we enter this (cross country) season," head coach Corey Ihmels said. "We want to improve on the finishes we had last year, and want to start moving forward in the Big 12 and the national standings."
The Cyclone women bring back nineteen of twenty runners from last season. This depth of talent will be vital for the teams' progression throughout the season. The men return all but four members of their 2008 roster. The depth of senior leadership will prove to be a luxury throughout the cross country schedule.
"We're really excited about the experience and depth we'll have on both sides this year," Ihmels said. "It will be a great advantage to us in the beginning on into the championships season."
Koll, who finished 18th at the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships, will run aside senior Grace Kemmey after both redshirted their 2008 season. Kemmey was the 2007 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after finishing 22nd at the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Kemmey also finished 21st in the 10,000-meters at the 2008 NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Freshman Betsy Saina will enter her first season of cross country after having a standout season in track and field. Saina finished seventh in the 5,000-meters at the 2008 NCAA Track and Field Championship, and finished runner-up in the both the 5,000 and 10,000-meters at the 2008 Big 12 Track and Field Championship.
Senior Paige Ties was among the top-three finishers for the women's squad in all four meets she competed in. Ties was the first Cyclone across the finish line at the 2008 NCAA Midwest Regional cross country meet, and will play a key role this season. Ties also finished 18th in the 5,000-meter run at the 2008 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
With a full year under their belt, sophomore's Meaghan Nelson and Dani Stack will be strong anchors for the women's team. Nelson and Stack were among the top-four finishers for the Iowa State women's team in four meets last season. Nelson finished 13th in the 3,000-meter run, and 17th in the 5,000-meter run at the 2008 Indoor and Outdoor Big 12 Track and Field Championships, respectively.
Semehar Tesfaye enters her first season donning the Iowa State uniform after spending a year competing for North Dakota State in cross country and track and field. Tesfaye will be one to watch this fall, as she could have a big impact in the women's overall team score.
The men's cross country team returns almost its entire 2009-10 roster. All-American senior Guor Marial looks to improve on his 31st-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Marial was the first Cyclone across the finish line in three-of-five meets.
Two-time All-American Hillary Bor was among the top-three Cyclone finishers in all five meets he ran. Bor was runner-up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Bor also finished runner-up in the same event at the 2008 Big 12 Track and Field Championships.
Sophomore's Rico Loy, Joel Limo and Yonas Mebrahtu will enter their second year of cross country and should see steady improvement as the season goes on. The three sophomore's finished 21st, 22nd, and 30th, respectively, at the 2008 Big 12 Cross Country Championships.
The Cyclones will travel to Des Moines, Iowa for the Bulldog Classic for their first meet of the season. The women will begin at 5:45 p.m. while the men will begin at 6:30 p.m. Live results will be posted on cyclones.com.
