Can a part-time runner from the Minneapolis suburbs, who plays soccer in the fall and wrestles in the winter, become a contender for two national cross country titles this fall?

His name is Obsa Ali, and he’s a 17-year-old senior at Richfield (Minn.) High. He came to the United States from Ethiopia five years ago, at age 12. Ali did no running in his native land other than during pick-up soccer games, although he was aware of the great Ethiopian runners and recalled seeing Kenenisa Bekele set the world 10,000m record on television.