Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1173746
23 T wo meets into her career, Leah Kralovetz has made her name known on the University of Iowa women's cross country team. Already feeling at home with the Hawkeyes, the women's team has opened its arms wide to Kralovetz, a native of Denmark, Wisconsin. "We're a close group of girls. It has been a lot of fun getting to know them and our relationships have grown so much," Kralovetz said. "at has helped us get where we are." Finishing fourth out of 189 women, Kralovetz set a personal best in 5,000 meters (17:31.4) at the Greeno/ Dirksen Invitational on Sept. 21 in Lincoln, Nebraska. In the Hawkeyes' first meet on the road, Kralovetz snagged the team's top spot. "It was weird. I wasn't feeling very good before the race," said Kralovetz. "But (once the race started), I felt light and free while running. I always try to tell myself there isn't a pecking order. is person isn't the first, this one isn't the second. We're all in this together." Watching Kralovetz compete, one would think her life plan was to run at this level. However, the path was not always that certain. Growing up in a soccer-centered family, Kralovetz never saw running competitively on her horizon. "Running hasn't always been a part of my life. I thought I was going to play college soccer when I was younger," Kralovetz said. "Soccer was a big thing in my family. My oldest brother had started the men's soccer program at our high school, so I was assuming I would play soccer, too." Aer being approached by the cross country coach to join the team, Kralovetz soon became a novelty within the running community, setting school records in the 5,000 (17:46.7), 3,200 (10:35.63), and 1,600 (4:56.84). "My junior year at cross country, I took fih at state," Kralovetz said. "I was planning on doing soccer that coming spring, but my coach talked to me and told me I could do this at a collegiate level. He told me I would need to also commit to track. I agreed, but said I only would compete in the mile." Kralovetz took first at state her senior year. She earned first-team all-conference honors twice and was a four- time team MVP. She was a recipient of several honors, including Wisconsin Coaches Association Runner of the Year, Lee Remmel Sports Awards: Prep-Achievement Award, and Wisconsin Sports Awards: Cross Country Runner of the Year. With the season picking up, Kralovetz is looking forward to more races to come and excited to find her niche within the team. "I hope to get another PR," Kralovetz said. e Hawkeyes travel to South Bend, Indiana, for the Notre Dame Invitational on Oct. 4. e women will run 5,000 meters. e men will run 8,000 meters. OCTOBER SCHEDULE Oct. 4 at Notre Dame Invitational South Bend, Indiana Oct. 19 at Pre-Nationals Terra Haute, Indiana