Eight members of the ISU track team will make their way Monday to Eugene, Oregon for the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Qualifying at the west regional meet over Memorial weekend, a stellar first and second place finish in the 10,000-meter left distance runner Lisa Koll, year three in veterinary medicine, and distance runner Betsy Saina, sophomore in child, adult and family services, in high spirits.

Koll and Saina will be side by side in the 5,000-meter as well.

Koll leaves for Eugene with the nation’s fastest 10,000-meter time.

“We want [Lisa] to do well,” said coach Travis Hartke. “Anytime you run a 5k and a 10k within two days of each other, it’s a hard devil.”

Distance runner Hillary Bor, senior in accounting, had a disappointing fifth place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase race.

With only 700 meters until the finish, Bor unexpectedly lost one of his shoes.

“I’m not 100 percent sure what happened,” Hartke said. “I think he went over a barrier and got clipped on the back of his shoe.”

Bor had to go through two more water jumps before he was reunited with his shoe.

“The guy behind him said ‘Oh, you don’t have a shoe on, and I’m not going to let you beat me. Why would a person with one shoe beat me?'” Hartke said.

Although the season has been a long one, Hartke is confident in all the athletes competing in Eugene.

“They race a lot,” Hartke said. “We worked out today, and we’re just trying to keep them safe, trying to get them to the national meet.”

Preparation for the championship meet isn’t any different than the regular season. The day to day routine is what keeps each person focused. So far, it is proving to be successful, building confidence in the runners.

Hartke credits success at the regional meet to the training and dedication given throughout the season.