Although most of Iowa State’s students received a break after May finals, the Cyclone men’s track team kept racing along.

The Cyclones fared well in both the Big Eight and the national track meet in May, according to head coach Steve Lynn. The team placed second in the conference meet and tenth nationally.

Lynn said that he witnessed many “outstanding performances” throughout the very successful season.

Several strong individual efforts propelled the team Lynn said. Once again senior Dmitry Drozdov paved the way for the Cyclones.

Drozdov won the 3000-meter steeplechase at the Big Eight meet and also placed first at the national meet with a time of 8:32.01.

“Drozdov’s national championship tops off a great season,” Lynn said.

Drozdov’s accomplishments at ISU were impressive.

He set a new school record in the steeplechase, was a four-time Drake Relays winner, a four-time All-American, and became the first Cyclone to be named an All-American in the same event all four years.

Drozdov’s time in the steeplechase has earned him the chance to compete in Russia’s Olympic trials. Drozdov is returning home to his native country in an attempt to qualify for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Iowa State’s 4×100-meter relay team placed third at the national meet with a time of 39.38.

The relay team, which consisted of Jerry Harris, Randy Thompson, Jason Woods, and Frank Nwankta, also burned up the track at the conference meet by setting an all-time Big Eight record with a time of 39.23.

Yago Lamela-Tobio placed nationally with a sixth place finish in the long jump with a leap of 25-4 3/4.

Lynn said that Nwankta has been invited to try out for Nigeria’s Olympic team as a sprinter.

Lynn also said that Iowa State fans should watch for several ISU alumni who may be present in Atlanta. Danny Harris in the 400 hurdles, Desmond Hunt in the triple jump, and Darwin VandeHoef in the decathlon, will be vying for spots on the U.S. Olympic team at the tryouts on June 14-23.

Other possible alumni competitors could be Obinna Eregdu in the long jump for Nigeria, Eliud Barngetuny in the steeple chase for Kenya, and John Nutall, Jon Brown, and Ian Robinson in long distance events for England.