Freshman runner hopes to earn All-American accolades at meet

The bottom of the pile is now at the top of the pack.\nIn his first-ever Great Lakes Regional Championships, freshman Jordan Kyle finished unscathed from a race that claimed the rest of his team. A career-best 10K time of 31:02.43 gave Kyle a coveted third-place finish to secure his slot at the NCAA Championships, scheduled for today in Terre Haute.\n"(IU) coach (Robert) Chapman has done an excellent job of peaking me for the end of the year, and I have never felt stronger than I do now," Kyle said. "Currently the weather is making for a very muddy race at nationals, which for me is a mental advantage. I tend to exceed my ability when the conditions are worse." \nFor Kyle, the entire season has been a continuing transition to becoming a better runner. After commencing the fall interval with low-key competition, gradual progression enabled Kyle to push himself harder as each race grew more intense.\nHis persistence paid off. On Nov. 14, both Kyle and sophomore Tim McLeod earned All-Great Lakes Region team honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. McLeod gained recognition for his 20th- place finish in 31:46.67 at the regional meet as well.\nTo be considered for the all-region team, athletes must finish in the top 25 at their regional contest and meet NCAA Division-I Cross Country Coaches Association requirements.\n"As far as Jordan goes, the most important thing we're aiming for is a good first national championship meet (for him)," assistant coach Stephen Haas said. "We're expecting good things out of him. On a good day he could make it up to All-American -- it's definitely possible."\nHaas added that he wants to make sure Kyle gets out and has a good race. His freshman status will give him plenty more opportunities in the next couple of years, Haas said.\nConsistent training has kept Kyle's workouts similar to his regimen prior to the regional meet, but to keep his legs fresh, he has kept the mileage down. In the face of pressure to excel on his own, Kyle's not flinching.\n"I have been asked if my goal at nationals is to make All-American," he said. "Receiving an All-American certificate my redshirt-freshman year would be a dream come true. I plan on executing the race very similar to that of regionals, and if I achieve All-American while doing that, I will be satisfied"