Varner, Koll named Iowa State athletes of the year
Published August 18th, 2010

By Tribune Staff
Date Posted: 2010-08-09

Two-time NCAA wrestling champion Jake Varner and four-time NCAA track and field champion Lisa Koll were named 2009-10 Iowa State athletes of the year on Monday.

Varner closed out his Cyclone career with a national title at 197 pounds and a 31-0 record. He was also the titlist at the Midlands Championships and the Big 12 Championships this past season.

Koll won three NCAA titles this past season, winning the 5,000-meter indoor title and the 5,000 and 10,000 outdoor titles. Koll was the first athlete to win the 5,000 and 10,000 outdoor title in the same year since 1998.

She also set the all-time collegiate 10,000 record in March, running the race in 10 minutes, 18.07 seconds.

Koll, also an All-American in cross country, was named the 2010 National Female Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. She also received the Honda Award in 2010, given to the top collegiate female track performer.