INA - As he runs around and around the Rend Lake College track swift and sure, Boaz Lalang keeps his eyes focused on what lies ahead: A shot at a world record, a possible Olympic berth, a much-treasured education, but most of all, a better life.

With a time of 3:37.62, Lalang, an RLC freshman, holds this season's fastest time in the 1,500-meter, roughly the equivalent of an Olympic mile, his coach, Brent McLain, said.

"And that's not just the fastest junior college time, or collegiate time, or U.S. time or in his age group time. That's the fastest time in the world right now," McLain said.

But that's not all.

Lalang "has a real shot" at breaking a junior world record in the 800-meter run when he races in the Oregon Twilight competition in Eugene, Ore., Friday night, McLain said.

And one more thing: Lalang has been invited to the Olympic trials in his native Kenya this summer, a feat made even more impressive by the quality of runners - historically some of the best in the world - that country produces.

The list of accomplishments is enough to make most of his teenage cohorts blush with pride, but Lalang, 19, is taking it all in modest stride.

"Right now, I can say I am better because of the kind of training Coach McLain gives me. I've done my best and I hope to improve on that," Lalang said. "When I've broken the record, I will say I have done something."

Lalang started running when he was in high school and competed all four years.

"We run because of the climate there, and also because you have to struggle. Running is the best way for us to achieve a better life. It offers us opportunity," he said.

Lalang has otherworldly talents on the track, said McLain, who, as a Class AA state title holder in cross country and the 1,600-meter run from his days competing for Benton Consolidated High School, is no slouch in the running department either.

"God put something in him he didn't put in regular people," McLain said. "He was built to run. He eats, drinks and sleeps running. He always does more than he is asked to do and I have to watch him to make sure he doesn't do too much. He is 100 percent dedicated, both on and off the field."

And it is just that dedication that prompted faculty, staff and fellow students to contribute to a travel fund to pay the expenses Lalang will incur by traveling back to his homeland for the Olympic trials.

"If I had to use one word to describe Boaz, it would be 'disciplined.' I joke with him that he is one of the few people I know trying to break a world record, run in the Olympics and can still get his classwork done on time. He has the best excuse ever not to do his work, but he always turns it in on time," Lalang's English instructor, Brandi Johnston, said with a laugh.

When she learned Lalang had been invited to the Olympic trials, she was concerned he would not have the financial wherewithal to make the trip back to his homeland. She contacted McLain and, with his help and the help of RLC instructor Barb Hampton, a fund was established to pay for Lalang's travel.

"Because we found out so close to finals, it was too late to do fundraisers, but we set up an account through the (RLC) foundation so people could donate to a travel fund," Johnston said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one we would hate to see him lose out on because of money. We thought if we could get enough donated, he could have that chance."

And if Lalang does break the world record or qualify for the Olympics, don't expect him to ditch his studies at the college next year.

"No matter what happens, I will be back next year. I want my associate's degree and then I want to go to a big school. That is the only way I can get a good job and help my family back in Kenya," he said.

Life in small-town America is not so much different than life in his small village in Kenya, he said.

"I like it here, especially this (track) program. The people in this area are very good people. They have helped me so much," said Lalang, who lives in a cabin at the Baptist camp on Lake Benton. "It is perfect here."

McLain said Lalang's goals are far from unattainable, given his talent, penchant for hard work and his attitude.

"He could turn pro right now and make $100,000, but he has no ego, no big head, and he wants to stay in school and get his degree. That says a lot about him. He knows the importance of an education and he wants one so that someday he can help his family and his people," McLain said. "He embraces life like no one I have ever seen."

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DETAILS:

Boaz Lalang Travel Fund, established to pay the Rend Lake College runner's expenses to the Kenyan Olympic trials

Make checks payable to RLC Foundation and note that the donation is for the Boaz Lalang Travel Fund.

Donations are tax-deductible and should be sent to RLC Foundation, 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846

For more information, call foundation CEO Pat Kern at 437-5321, ext. 1324 or assistant director Claire Creedmore, ext. 1214