Iowa State men’s cross country runner Dmitry Drozdov got things started off on the right foot by winning the prestigious 16-team Minnesota Invitational over the weekend.

It was the first win of his collegiate career for the senior from Penza, Russia.

“It was totally unexpected,” Drozdov said. “I knew I was capable of winning a tournament this season. I just didn’t expect it this early.”

Drozdov’s stunning win on Saturday propelled him to Daily’s Cyclone Profile player of the week.

Drozdov did not speak of his win at Minnesota in personal terms, but rather on its affect on the team.

“Everyone on the team was really excited by my win,” he said. “Hopefully, this can serve as an inspiration for the team.”

Head Cross Country Coach Bill Bergan credits Drozdov’s hard work and conditioning going into his first meet of the season for his success.

“Dmitry came to us this summer in the best shape he has been in since he’s been here,” Bergan said. “He really put in the miles between September and May.”

Even though the Minnesota meet was his first win as an ISU cross country runner, it was not Dmitry’s first major accomplishment as a Cyclone. He is a returning All-American, having finished 12th at the 1994 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Drozdov’s finish helped the Cyclones capture the NCAA cross country title.

Still, Drozdov is an athlete who puts team goals in front of individual accomplishments.

“Last year I felt like a champion because the team was a national champion,” he said. “This season I’m not going to just pursue my own goals .”

Drozdov, who started running at the age of 10, has competed in both cross country and track at the international level. He finished 12th in the world at 5,000 meters in the 1988 World Junior Track Championships, held in Bulgaria. He also competed for the Soviet Union national junior team at the World Junior Cross Country Championships at Antwerp, Belgium.

Coach Bergan said Drozdov’s transition to United States culture from the Soviet Union was, for the most part, an easy one.

“The different language was difficult at first, but he adapted quickly,” Bergan said. “Other than that, he did not have too many problems coming to the United States. He is very easy-going and patient, and that helped him a lot.”

Drozdov said his goal is to win the NCAA individual cross country championship, but it is more important that his team repeats as national champs.

“It is possible that I can finish in the top three in the nation,” Drozdov said. “But if I don’t, it will not be a disaster, if the team does well.”