Kosgei is a multiple NCAA Division III All-American (Hamilton sports photo)

In his first major indoor season of his collegiate track and field career, 2007 Division III Steeplechase champion Peter Kosgei of Hamilton College reflects on his double victory in the 800-meter and one-mile races at the past 2008 Divison III Indoor National Championships.

Not quite a newcomer to the Division III national scene, but certainly his first indoor season of his collegiate track and field career, 2007 Division III 3000-meter steeplechase champion Peter Kosgei of Hamilton College reflects on his double victory in the 800 meter and 1-mile races of the past 2008 indoor nationals at Ohio Northern University, running against 2007 half-mile champion at indoors and outdoors, Jimmy O'Brien.

1. How did Hamilton College find you, or rather how did you find it?

It's a long story but to make it short, check out this website about the Kenya Scholar-Athlete Project at http://www.kensap.org/ for a quick synopsis of how I ended up here.

2. Was this your first indoor season? How long have you been running?

Yes, this was my first major indoor season. I started running in summer 2005 when I got admitted to Hamilton.

3. Who inspires you to keep running?

My mom inspires me to keep running.

4. Let's take a look back at the indoor championships wins at Ohio Northern University. The 800-meter race seemed to be the most exciting to watch. What was your strategy on the the last two laps?

My strategy was to stay strong and keep everybody within reach until the last 150 meters before making my move.

5. Did you run the time that you were hoping for in the one-mile (4:11.17), or is that inconsequential?

I didn't really care about time at nationals. I was just there to race and whatever it took to win didn't really matter to me.

6. You ran the fastest qualifying time in the heat rounds before the final and you won by .01 seconds to out-step Wisconsin-LaCrosse senior Paul Zdroik. Can you describe at all the last 200 meters your feeling as you were pushing toward the finish line?

I made a move at the start of the last lap and tried to stay smart not to burn myself out because I still had to run the 800m. At the same time, I wanted to hold off my opponents as long as it took to win.

7. You also qualified automatically for the 5000 meters. How did you decide which of the three races you were not going to run?

Actually I can tell when I am ready or not. For that matter, I wasn't mentally or physically ready to run the 5000-meter race. My coaches and I also gave it careful thought. I wasn't confident with the 5k.

8. You pounded your chest at the finish of the 800-meter race, edging out senior Matt Kramer from University of Wisconsin – Superior, was that a spontaneous reaction?

Before running the 800 (after winning the 1500), I thought how sweet it would be to win two races in one day. I also kept thinking how Bernard Lagat won both the 1500m and 5k in the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, and thought I could do the same. I was just so happy after edging out incredibly good athletes, like Ohio Northern's Jimmy O'Brien.

9. You ran another "chest-pounding" time in the 3000-meter steeplechase last year at Wisconsin-LaCrosse in the outdoor nationals, what do you and your coaches expect this time around?

We are planning on improving my time in the steeplechase.

10. Did you try to qualify for any other races in the 2007 outdoor season? If yes, what races?

No. I didn't think of qualifying in any other event in last year's outdoors.

11. Was there any time in the indoor season to focus on aspects of your steeplechase race-training on your college's track?

I didn't really think of steeplechase during the indoor campaign. I was just concentrating on getting ready for this past indoor nationals championships.

12. What's your major at Hamilton College?

Physical Chemistry.

13. How have you stayed healthy and mentally focused in your athletic career, while being a student, and running from cross country to indoor to outdoor?

There are six things that are really important to me: my studies, running, sleep, significant other (if any), my family and my friends. And, I work so hard to balance them all.

14. Why do you run?

When I run I feel like I have accomplished something in life. It also helps me to organize time as a student. Lastly, the main reason we all run is for God, as Tyson Gay said.

15. Do you have any relation to 800-meter runner Elkana Kosgei of Louisiana State University?

I have no idea who this guy is. It's not a surprise that we have the same last name, though.

16. How will you train differently this outdoor season for your event -- 3000-meter steeplechase?

I want to increase my mileage and work on core strength.

17. What is the outdoor season like running for Hamilton, and what are your personal expectations in your second season?

I am excited for the outdoor season! My plans are to improve my personal records.