Corey Ihmels Quotations

Obviously leading up to the U.S. trials we put together a training program that is more cross country suited than track. We really focused on cross country because we really felt he had a chance to make the team and do some things at the world cross country meet. Since then we've been able to fine-tune things just a little bit. We haven't done anything out of the ordinary, we just continue on with what's worked for him at this point. We had two really good weeks of training, so he's ready to go.

He did an awesome job today. The race started out at a slow pace but he kicked it in during the last 800 meters. He just did a tremendous job today. We're so proud of his progress and competitiveness throughout the season.

Just the travel and what goes into being on a United States team, getting the uniform and the kit, going through the whole process and then lining up against Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and all those different countries ... you hate to say it's a once in a life opportunity because I don't think it will be with Kiel, but it definitely sharpens you up when you get to the Big 12 meet. I think down the road this is just a huge learning experience for him and I think he's ready to run. It should be fun to watch.

We have a freshman that not only won the U.S. trials, but I think he can go onto the world meet and place really high. It just kind of shows where our program is headed and what we want to get accomplish. I think this is a big accomplishment for our program.

We've had four guys now accomplish it. That shows our history and our tradition, but we want to move forward with it.

I've seen pictures of the course and it's pretty flat, but looks like it's going to be very fast. It's going to be a bit of a track race, but it will be fun.

The junior race is pretty much all the top junior runners in the world. It's a huge distance event.