Cyclones’ Koll poised to make it big in the pro ranks

Lisa Koll has established herself as a rising star in the track world.

Koll will be paid like one once her Iowa State career ends in a few months. This weekend at the Drake Relays fans will have the chance to see the world-class distance runner, Olympic hopeful and American collegiate record holder in the 10,000-meter run on the cusp of a promising professional career.

Koll is setting up meetings with potential agents and by the end of the spring will have major shoe companies like Nike, Asics, adidas and Reebok lining up to sponsor her, if they aren't already.

The Fort Dodge native has the ability, intelligence, looks and personality to be a star in the sport.

“I feel like I'm in a really good spot,” said Koll, who is scheduled to run Friday and Saturday in the distance medley and 6400 relay for the Cyclones at Drake Stadium. “I'm really happy about it.”

Koll's resume speaks for itself.

What the NCAA and Big 12 champion does the rest of the outdoor season is just icing on the cake.

“She's set herself up pretty nicely to do this full time,” ISU Coach Corey Ihmels said. “She's going to make a lot of money here fairly soon. She's going to have her pick (of sponsors). It's not a bad situation to be in.”

Koll's shining moment was last month in California - at the same meet in which she set a 10K record last year. She shattered the collegiate record at the Stanford Invitational in 31 minutes, 18.07 seconds, ranking as the sixth-fastest American time recorded.

For some perspective, Koll's 5,000-meter splits in the race were well ahead of the finishing time (16:17.94) of last year's 5K outdoor champ Angela Bizzarri of Illinois. Koll's time also whipped 2009 10K champ Danette Doetzel of Providence by more than two minutes.

Koll was injured much of last season, but in 2008 ran away from the 10K field at the NCAA outdoor meet in Des Moines, lapping all but five runners, including three All-Americans.

A professional career is coming at some cost. Koll is a year-and-a-half into a four-year program at ISU's School of Veterinary Medicine. She's giving that up - postponing it, actually - to chase her athletics dreams.

Koll has given the choice a lot of thought.

“I'm not taking this decision lightly,” she said. “It's not about the money. It's not that I just want to get the best deal. I want to be able to run. A lot of people get wrapped up in it when it becomes your job. I never want to think of running as my job. I want to feel like I'm lucky to be able to do it. I'm definitely looking long term and having longevity in my career.”

Koll can't sign with an agent until after June's NCAA Outdoor Championships.

From there, she will decide on a sponsor, what races she'll be preparing for and where exactly she'll be living. Sponsors typically gives their athletes a salary and pay for their gear and travel to events in the U.S. and worldwide.

Ihmels has been helping Koll through the process and has tried to keep her focus on running and school.

“I'm leaving my options open right now and kind of figuring it out as I go,” she said. “I never saw this coming when I started college.”

Koll will train and compete with hopes of participating in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

Koll's parents and older brother have supported her every step of the way.

“They've been my No. 1 fans for a long time,” Koll said. “They've always been there for me.”