Back home in Budapest, Hungary, Daniel Kiss, a hurdler on The University of Memphis track and field team, was running away from the competition.
During his high school career, he racked up ten national championships in indoor and outdoor competitions combined. Kiss won the Hungarian Indoor National Championship in the 110m hurdles in 1999 and 2000. He also claimed the Outdoor National Championship in 1999 and 2000 in the same event.
Kiss knew if he wanted to progress, he had to go somewhere that offered a higher level of competition. That place was half way around the world -- the U.S.
"Here, anywhere I go everyone's good," Kiss said. "The hurdlers are at a higher level."
So, how did Kiss land in Memphis?
Gary Nemeth, a senior sprinter for the Tigers and also Hungarian, is Kiss's best friend. After receiving a scholarship to The University, Nemeth lobbied hard to bring his buddy along for the ride.
"I let coach know about him," he said. "I was like his agent."
It wasn't a tough sell for Nemeth. Head coach Glenn Hays wasn't about to turn down a 6'6" hurdler with such a gaudy background.
"He's the second best high hurdler in school history in terms of his personal best," Hays said.
Unfortunately for Kiss, he stumbled out of the blocks at Memphis. After breaking his leg last year, he was unable to compete in any outdoor events.
"I got injured here immediately," Kiss said. "I wasn't able to show my ability."
The stress facture that sidelined Kiss in 2004 also left him with only one year of eligibility as a Tiger.
Coach Hays only wishes he had more time.
"There's not much of a future here for him now," he said. That doesn't mean Hays has lost interest in his hurdler, it just makes his goals more immediate.
"We're hoping he'll win the conference and qualify for the NCAA outdoor championships," Hays said.
If his recent performance is any indicator, these goals are definitely within reach. He recovered from the leg injury and had a strong showing in the Conference USA Indoor Championships that were held in February in Houston. Kiss finished second to defending champion Andrew Carruthers of Houston, with a time of 7.86 seconds in the 60m hurdles final.
At the LSU Tiger Relays on Saturday, Kiss participated in the men's 4x100 relay team along with Willie Green, Daniel Bandy, and Nemeth. The Tigers finished in fifth place with a time of 41.23.
Although Kiss plans on going back to Hungary upon his graduation, he hasn't lost focus in Memphis.
"I came here to do something special," he said.
In order to do this, Kiss will be in a race against time.
