Emmanuel Korir's talent was never in question.
That was obvious to the coaches who recruited the star freshman to UTEP this season, obvious to everyone who follows track when he set a world record in the indoor 600 meters in his second-ever foray on the boards.
The question: Would Korir be ready to win at the NCAA championship level in the 800, perhaps the most tactical running event in indoor track, on his first try, only two months removed from his first indoor race? Could he overcome a leg injury that kept him out of the Conference USA championships just two weeks earlier.