While members of the ISU cross country team spent the summer training, Jenny Mockler competed abroad — against a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Mockler, a sophomore, spent her summer competing in her native England and was invited to the British Olympic trials. She ran against Kelly Holmes, who won Olympic gold medals in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter run for the United Kingdom in Athens, Greece.

“I got fifth [in the 800] against a person that got two gold medals, so I can’t complain,” Mockler said.

Junior Dan Taylor said he is excited about competing for Iowa State after a good summer of training in Ames. Some members of the men’s team spent the summer running together in order to prepare for the fall cross country season, which opens Sept. 3 in Des Moines at the Drake Fall Classic.

“We ran a bunch of miles together,” Taylor said. “Hopefully, we prepared ourselves better this year than last. A good majority of guys have picked up their training since last year.”

He said practicing on the ISU course gives him a decided advantage over other competitors because it is one of the more challenging courses he runs.

“Training on it makes it easier to break down the competition, and you’re on it more, so you know the course,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he likes cross country more than track because it is more physically and mentally demanding.

“It separates the men from the boys,” he said. “Being strong mentally is the most important part.”

Women’s head coach Dick Lee said that although most of the athletes were out of Ames for the summer, they still had programs that helped prepare them for the season.

“They’re on their own over the summer. It’s their time from being away from organized practice, being involved in cross country and track. We had some [runners] that were in summer school and have a set mileage to shoot for over the summer. Just some general guidelines.”

“Nationals is our big goal,” Taylor said. “It will be a big disappointment if we didn’t make it.”

Kyle Rasmussen and Corey Ylinen are two returnees of note for the team.

Of the newcomers, Taylor said junior college transfer John Dean and freshman Leif Lomeland have the most potential to contribute immediately.

Lee highlighted five returning runners and three newcomers that should be strong competitors for Iowa State. Lee is excited about Mockler, Krysta Metz, Lacey Leinbaugh, Meredith McKean and Lindsey Nye. As for the newcomers, Lee mentioned freshmen Kristin Mollman, Maddie Peck and Mackenzie Madison.