Published: November 22, 2008 12:21 am      

Lalang turning pro

Rend Lake College

INA — Setting records at Rend Lake College just seems to be Boaz Lalang's thing.

The 19-year-old mid-distance running sensation by way of Eldoret, Kenya came on the collegiate track and field scene as a freshman at RLC in fall of 2007. He quickly smashed individual bests in nine events, led RLC to an indoor national title, and broke the National Junior College Athletic Association records in the indoor mile and 800m, and the outdoor 800m and 1500m. In the postseason, Lalang became RLC's first Olympian when he fought to the 800m semifinals in Beijing.

On Sunday, he set his final record in Warrior red when he signed a professional running contract with Adidas and became RLC's first track and field athlete to turn pro. The college held a press conference on Friday where Lalang talked about his decision and the future.

"I decided to turn professional because of family," he said. "I have two siblings who need education and right now my family doesn't have any other income. I decided to turn pro so that they can be in a position to live a better life."

He holds RLC records in the indoor 600m (1:17.75), 800m (1:47.82), 1,000m (2:26.97), mile run (3:58.34), 4x800m relay (7:28.54) and DMR (10:04.36); and the outdoor 800m (1:44.69), 1500m (3:37.62) and 4x800m relay (7:27.95).

Albeit bittersweet for men’s track and field head coach Brent McLain, he understands Lalang simply got an offer he could not refuse. He turned down offers stemming from his performance in Beijing where, as the second-youngest runner in the event, he came two-hundreths of a second short of making the finals.

In his eyes, his education and family are at the top of his priority list. So, when James Templeton with Adidas came along with a deal that allows him to make money competing in international races and pays for his studies beyond RLC, Lalang was able to have his cake and eat it too. Templeton also represents Bernard Lagat, the top U.S. mid-distance runner and former Kenyan-turned-U.S. citizen. Lalang is one of five athletes contracted with Templeton.

"Yeah, it's bittersweet," McLain said. "I mean, I love the guy to death and I am very proud of him, but as a coach I want the points he brings our program at each outing. This is not premature. He is ready and we just have to let him fly. Boaz is true blue. We will be watching his career, which I am positive will be a trailblazing one indeed."

McLain will be able to watch Lalang develop for a while longer since he currently plans to stay at RLC and continue his training with McLain. He will finish the school year at RLC and graduate with his associate's degree in May. Lalang is studying business accounting and currently holds a 3.08 GPA. He was named a NJCAA Coaches Association Academic All-American last season. He also plans to keep training with McLain as a student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

So far, everything is falling into place for Lalang to reach his goal of a world record. He moved to the U.S. and entered the collegiate circuit. He gained international exposure as a member of the Kenyan Olympic track and field team. He finally got the contract he wanted and turned pro. In February, he said during an interview, "When I turn pro, that is the opportunity for me to break the record. I hope it will come true one day."

He is one step closer.

"That is part of my dream that I haven't fulfilled yet. I want to set the world record. That is when I will see my dream come true."

For now, he is going to train for a race, Feb. 8, in Boston. It will be his 20th birthday.

"My goal in Boston is to win the race and set the seasonal best time or the track record. I want a nice present for my birthday."