Boise State striving to compete at elite level

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

BOISE, Idaho. -- Boise State freshman Allie Ostrander is convinced the squirrels in Boise, Idaho are starting a revolution. 

"Me and Brenna (Peloquin) run past squirrels all the time," Ostrander explained. "They are like forming an army because they are all over the place."

Beside the possibility of a squirrel uprising, there is another insurgency in the northwestern state: the Boise State University cross country and track and field program.

Led by third year head coach Corey Ihmels, the Broncos are coming off an historic cross country season for both the men and women, and slowly taking shape as one of the premier programs in the country for some of the top recruits. 

"I think Boise is a pretty easy place to sell," Ihmels said. "I think you come here, you're in the mountains, you've got a vibrant downtown, you've got a river running through campus, if you're into the outdoors at all, you're not too far from the national parks. The training environment is as good as anywhere."

The picturesque description Ihmels paints is one the Broncos are taking full advantage of. 

Ihmels, who inherited a strong group when he arrived at BSU in 2013 -- headlined by Emma Bates, now with the Boston Athletic Association, and Marisa Howard (steepler for Oiselle) -- landed two of the top recruits in the 2015 class in Ostrander and Elijah Armstrong. 

Ostrander, the 2014 Nike Cross Nationals champion and owner of a personal best of 9:58.74 in the 3,200, said Ihmels definitely sold Boise State to her, but Boise also offered what she was looking for. 

"In a way, it kind of sells itself," the Kenai, Alaska native said of BSU. "You have the best facility there with the foothills and I don't think anywhere else can match the resources that we have there. When I went there, he (Ihmels) said I can make you the best you can be, and that's what I want." 

Ihmels, who came from Iowa State where he produced seven individual national champions, offers a a clear-cut vision with a heavy emphasis in distance running. The goal is to contend for national titles and be the best. 

"I think the vision is it's a fantastic place to train," Ihmels said. 

BOISE STATE XC TRAINING CAMP VIDEO

Ihmels admits Boise is not a Stanford or an Oregon. In ways, it's similar to Iowa State with less flash and more of a blue-collar mentality. Ihmels has gotten the student-athletes to buy in with his intense and competitive nature. 

"He likes to use the term, 'We're going to punch teams in the face,' senior David Elliott (Puyallup, Wash.) said with a smile. "Boise can be a really great place for distance running and he wants to make that a reality. And you just look at the progress, and it's coming." 

This past November, Ostrander's runner-up finish at nationals headlined an impressive fall for the women's cross country team, as the Broncos finished in 11th place at NCAAs. In 2014, BSU qualified for nationals for the first time in program history. 

Ihmels said it's been a battle of changing the mindset and mentality at BSU and not settling for anything but the best. 

"I think one of the first conversations I had with Emma Bates was, 'I think you can win nationals,'" Ihmels explained. "And I don't think anyone had ever told her that."

Peloquin is a walking example of buying into the system Ihmels is creating. The freshman from Gig Harbor, Wash., was a surprise ninth place finish at nationals to earn All-American status. Along with Ostrander, Boise State was the only program to place two freshmen in the top 10. 

Armstrong, a Pocatello, Idaho native, finished 70th at nationals and was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year, was the fifth fastest freshman at NCAAs and helped guide the Broncos to a 16th place team finish. 

"He doesn't tell you something unless he believes you can actually achieve it," Peloquin said. "When he tells me something, I believe him."

Both programs are in a unique position heading into the track season with youth on their side. The women's cross country team will not graduate anyone from its starting seven.

Elliott, who was an NCAA finalist in the 1,500 last spring, is one of just three seniors on the men's roster. He's surrounded by teammates that he says 'bring a lot of energy.' 

"I've never seen a team this young that wants it this bad," Elliott said. 

While Ihmels said it's more exciting to come practice than it was three years ago, he feels Boise State hasn't arrived yet. 

"One race doesn't make you a champion, one race doesn't make you a loser," Peloquin said. "We're such a young team, it's just a matter of (remaining) consistent."

And as the program grows, Ostrander and Peloquin will hope to lead an army of their own to combat the local squirrels -- and much more.