Isahak Is An Inspiring Presence After Journey From Sudan
Senior Munir Isahak was separated from his parents when he was 8 years old and fled his village in Sudan that was under attack.
Article reprinted courtesy of the Forum and reporter Eric Peterson
MOORHEAD — Concordia Cobbers senior Munir Isahak was separated from his parents when he was 8 years old and fled his village in Sudan that was under attack.
He hasn't heard from them in the 15 years since. Isahak ended up at a refugee camp in Kenya with his grandmother and a few other family members before he came to the United States about eight years ago.
"I think one thing that I learned from that experience is to appreciate everything and not take anything for granted," said Isahak, a Fargo South graduate. "Coming from there to here, it's been a different journey, it's been a difficult journey, but I think I've made it and I'm grateful for everything that I've learned throughout the journey."
Isahak is hoping to add to his remarkable story this weekend when the Cobbers compete at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship cross country meet Saturday, Oct. 30 at St. Olaf in Northfield, Minn.
"I'm hoping that everyone on the team does their best," Isahak said. "I hope to be up there with the top guys, maybe in the top five or top 10 individually."
Isahak, who came back this fall using an NCAA eligibility waiver due to COVID-19, is having the best season of his college career. He credits Cobbers first-year cross country head coach Maddie Van Beek for his strong fall.
"The one thing that has benefited me is probably the training, having the new coach," Isahak said. "I think it really made a difference."
Van Beek, a former North Dakota State running great who qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials in the marathon, said Isahak has been a joy to coach in her first season leading the Concordia program.
"I feel lucky that in my first year at Concordia that I get to work with Munir," said Van Beek, from Perham, Minn. "It's been great for me because it's not often that you get to work with someone like this so it's been inspiring for me as well. … Everyone says I wish Munir could stay at Concordia forever because he's just a great person to have around."
Isahak came to America with his grandmother and three other family members in 2013 when he was 15 years old. He graduated from South High School in 2017, one of his most satisfying accomplishments. He learned English while he was at the refugee camp in Kenya.
"Graduating from high school was the one thing I was very proud of," said Isahak, who plans to attend grad school as he's set to graduate from Concordia next May. "Coming from where I came, I really wasn't sure what my life would look like. If you put your mind to something, you can do it. I just took advantage of every opportunity that I got."
Isahak said his grandmother Mariam Adam has been a key figure in his life. She's been with him ever since he was separated from his parents.
"She's been everything to me," said Isahak, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in October of 2020. "Having her has been the best thing that's happened to me."
Isahak balances on-campus and off-campus jobs along with his school work and cross country training and competitions. Isahak said he runs about 60 miles per week during the season and he also logged about 60 to 70 miles per week last summer to prepare for this fall.
"He's just a joy to be around," Van Beek said. "He's someone who is going to get the most out of himself no matter what. When he runs a PR, it's like that guy deserves a PR, he's been working so hard. He's an easy person to root for."
Van Beek said Isahak doesn't get too high or low when it comes to practices and workouts and that steadiness has led to success on race day.
"I've never heard him complain about anything," Van Beek said. "He's just someone who shows up and gets the work done, no complaints, no matter what. He's just a really positive person to have around. He's always encouraging others."
Isahak was battling a bout of food poisoning at Concordia's most recent meet, the Jim Drews Invitational on Oct. 15 in La Crosse, Wis. Van Beek told Isahak that he didn't need to race. Isahak decided to go through his warmup to see how he felt and eventually ran the race. He posted his second-best time on an 8-kilometer course, finishing in 25 minutes, 10.11 seconds, which was good for ninth place and less than five seconds from the top five.
"He started the race and finished with a minute PR. It shocked me, but also didn't," Van Beek said.
"I always think positively, no matter what the situation is," Isahak said. "I always hope for the best."
Isahak has always tried to make the most of his life's journey, which has had its ups and downs.
"I think it's going toward a happy ending, which I am grateful for," Isahak said.