Lisa Koll,
ISU Distance Runner

By Keely Shannon

 

Like many kids, Lisa Koll grew up fueling her competitive spirit participating in all kinds of sports, soccer, softball, basketball… pretty much anything but running. It wasn’t until the eighth grade that someone suggested she try running on the cross country team to keep in shape. While not the fastest kid on the team, she discovered that she loved to run — the longer the better.

While in high school at Fort Dodge, she continued to run, placing her focus on the longest race available, the 3,000 meter. Again, while not the fastest, she continued to improve. By the time she reached her senior year, she was able to place third at the State Track Meet.

Without stellar results, Koll was not a heavily recruited runner. One visit to Iowa State, though, proved enough to change her life. Wanting to study veterinary medicine, and feeling at home on campus, made ISU the perfect choice. Running was almost secondary.

At college, the races become longer, which seemed to suit the young freshman. Studies continued to be a focus, and even with 20 credits a semester, Koll was able to improve as a runner while keeping a high grade point average. She was twice named as an Academic All American and in 2009 was named the ESPN The Magazine/ Co SIDA Academic All American of the Year. Then the wheels fell off.

With a huge class-load and 100-mile weeks, the spring of 2009 saw injury and illness. Her parents had given her support and helped her focus by encouraging her to do whatever it was she wanted to do. They taught her that no matter what she chooses, it would take hard work and discipline to achieve it. With the injuries giving her the opportunity to rest, Koll made the decision to refocus her efforts on running, cutting her class schedule in half in 2010. This proved to be a good choice, as Koll is now running her fastest and is feeling, in her words, “totally amazing!”

Koll rocked through the ISU indoor track season, becoming the second fastest American college indoor 5K runner ever (15:29) at the Iowa State Classic in February. She followed that by winning the NCAA Indoor Championship 5K race in Fayetteville, Ark., in March.

Again, preferring the longer races, Koll was just getting started. At the Stanford Invitational, Koll set the NCAA 10,000 meter record in 31:18:07, shattering the previous record of 31:25:45 set by Sally Kipyego in 2008.
Big things are ahead for this 22-year-old Iowan. With her sights set on the World Championships in 2010, she’s looking beyond that to the London Olympics in 2012. If she continues to improve, and if her current level of running is any indication, it should be no surprise to see Lisa representing Team USA and Iowa on the World stage.

You can follow Koll’s season at www.cyclones.com.

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