Dec. 12, 2005

Growing up in a town of 500 people where everyone knows you by name is one thing. Graduating with honors in a class of 16 people is another. Having the opportunity to attend the University of Iowa on a full athletic scholarship to compete on the women's track team is priceless.

There are not very many athletes that come from such conditions and receive this opportunity, but Iowa's freshman cross country and track runner Krista Anderson is worthy enough.

Anderson is up to another big challenge, but this time it is at the collegiate level and she is having no problem getting settled in since her arrival to Iowa City's campus.

"I'm making a smooth transition and I'm doing really well right now. There are no big surprises and nothing unexpected," she explained.

Success is no issue with Anderson as she is a reigning high school athlete that had such an astounding grade point average she was her class salutatorian during her senior year. 

Dealing with adjustments is something that Anderson understands comes along with competing. One of her biggest came during her days of high school; it was here that her two coaches were her very own mom and dad.

"It was great having my parents as coaches. We actually didn't even have a team until my seventh grade year. My mom actually went to the school board at my school and requested that we start a team. The school board agreed, but my parents had to be the coaches. They weren't demanding and they didn't have to be because I knew that I needed to work hard."   

During the fall season, Anderson is concentrating on adjusting to college life and the challenges of balancing academics with athletics, but the transition in January where she becomes able to compete will be her biggest challenge.

"So far I haven't competed. Coach Anderson and I talked about it before I decided to come here. I needed time to adjust to school and the training. So, I don't have to just jump in right away."

Both Anderson and her teammates are excited for her to lace up the spikes and join them this January.

"I love to compete. I'm a very competitive person and being able to run against other runners is really exciting for me. I'm really excited to run and contribute to my team." 

"Krista can come in to this league and compete at a high level and help contribute to our team points" added sophomore teammate Meghan Armstrong.
 
Iowa head cross country coach Layne Anderson spoke very high of his student-athlete on her abilities and contributions to the team this January. "The Big Ten is one of the top competitive conferences in the country. Krista is one of the top all-around distance runners and an athlete that can compete and do well in this conference. She has achieved great accomplishments, is very athletic, competitive, and ambiguous."      

All eyes will be on Anderson, as she will make her freshman debut on January 14, 2006 at the Iowa Hawkeye Open. She has been patiently awaiting this opportunity since her high school days of competing where she received the State Athlete and Female Senior Athlete of the Year awards in cross country and track.   

"Since I started running at a young age I knew that I wanted to run in college at a Division I institution. I just want to run for as long as I can, and go as far as I can with the sport."

With that attitude the sky is the limit and who really knows what is in store for track phenom Krista Anderson. 

Big Ten Women's Cross Country

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