Burnsville senior Faysal Mahmoud has had to make plenty of adjustments in his life since moving from Egypt to the U.S.

Academics: "School wasn't important in my life. I was getting bad grades in high school. I needed to get better grades. My mom always wants her children to do good in school."

Change of friends: "My sophomore year of high school was miserable. I hung out with all the wrong people. I had to change that."

'Like an older brother': Mahmoud calls Obsa Ali, an Ethiopian immigrant who won the Class 2A cross-country state championship last year and now runs for the Gophers, "like an older brother to me. He's crazy talented. I look up to him, and he gives me advice."

On finishing on top: "I can win state. There is no doubt. This is my year."

Scholarship prospects? "I want all Division I schools to take a look at me. I'm faster, stronger and more experienced now."

RON HAGGSTROM