Two minutes

Cyclone runner sets American distance mark

While leading the 10,000-meter run at the Stanford Invitational on April 4, Iowa State's Lisa Koll heard the announcer say the American collegiate record in the event was 32:19. That's when she realized she could break it. And she did, finishing at 32:11.13. Three weeks later, she dominated the 5,000 at the Drake Relays, winning by nearly 42 seconds.

On the Beijing radar: The American collegiate record qualified Koll for the U.S. Olympic Trials later this summer. She has also qualified in the 5K and now has her eye on earning a spot on Team USA for the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

Logging some serious miles: Already a cross country All-American, Koll became the second freshman to win a Big 12 Conference outdoor championship in the 10,000 last spring. Soon after, she upped her summer training program from 75 to 90 miles per week to increase her strength. She finished second in the 5,000 at the NCAA Indoor Championship meet in March.

Graduating in fast time, too: Also an Academic All-America, Koll is graduating in three years with her degree in biology. She'll complete her final two years of track eligibility as a student in ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine.

--Mike Ferlazzo