University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Recognition: Athlete

Ivan Ivanov was a six-time All-American for the Lopers from 1994 to 1996 after transferring from Butler Community College. In outdoor track, Ivanov was the 1996 3,000 meter steeplechase national champion as a senior and runner-up in the same event as a junior in 1995. His steeplechase title was the first NCAA Championship by a Loper athlete. At the NCAA indoor meet, Ivanov was fourth in the 5,000 meter run as a junior and seventh as a senior. He set a number of school records including the outdoor 3,000 meter steeplechase and the 5,000 along with the indoor 3,000 and 5,000. In cross country, the Bulgaria native was sixth as a junior and fourth as a senior at the NCAA Division II National Championships. As a team, UNK finished fourth and eighth those two years.