When sophomore Kiel Uhl leaves Friday for the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., he will be concerned about wearing his uniform well.

“It’s a really big honor to represent Iowa State. It means a lot to me to be able to represent the team again,” Uhl said. He will be the lone representative of the Cyclones for the second year, after qualifying as a freshman last year. He is one of 34 runners racing as the only representatives of their teams.

“I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t make it as a team,” Uhl said. “That’s a lot better than me making it myself. It’s kind of lonely again.”

Uhl said he feels better prepared and more physically fit than he was last year.

“My training has gone a lot better; I’m a lot more consistent,” he said. “Last year after regionals my legs were pretty tired. I woke up Sunday and my legs weren’t sore at all, so I feel pretty good.”

The race will include Big 12 teams No. 2 Colorado, No. 12 Oklahoma State, No. 16 Texas and No. 17 Kansas, as well as the defending NCAA champion, Wisconsin. Five of the top 10 finishers from last year’s championship meet return to the race, making it a tough field.

Uhl, who finished in 67th place in last year’s championship, described the competition as the toughest he will face all season. Uhl said he thinks he has better race experience this season and wants to improve on last season’s result.

“It’s going to be really tough because it’s nationals,” Uhl said. “I’ve got to go out there and make a name for myself and do the best I can, and represent Iowa State as best I can.”

On Tuesday, Uhl was named to the All-Midwest Region team by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Senior David Rotich and sophomore Kevin Born joined Uhl on the team.

Coach Corey Ihmels will travel with Uhl and said he is optimistic about Uhl’s performance in this race.

“I think he’s just starting to come around into top form,” Ihmels said. “From now until Monday he’s just got to get himself recovered – get [his] legs back underneath him and get ready to race.”

The race will be a 10K, the same distance as the regional meet, and will begin at 1:15 p.m. Nov. 20.