Source: UWBadgers.com
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009 7:54:00 PM EST
Published: Saturday, June 13, 2009 7:55:47 PM EST
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009 7:54:00 PM EST
Published: Saturday, June 13, 2009 7:55:47 PM EST
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- It didn't come with the finish he was looking for, but Craig Miller moved himself into some elite company Saturday by closing out the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a ninth-place showing in the finals of the men's 1,500 meters.
The finish made an All-American of Miller for the sixth time in his career and for the third-consecutive year in the 1,500, as he clocked a time of 3:41.31 to narrowly miss out on scoring. The junior earned his All-America status by virtue of being one of the top eight U.S.-born finishers in the race.
Miller also was 12th in the event as a freshman in 2007 and finished fourth at last year's NCAA championships as a sophomore.
He becomes the eighth member of the UW men's program to earn at least six All-America citations, and only two athletes – Chris Solinsky with 11 and Matt Tegenkamp with seven – have earned more.
Oklahoma State freshman German Fernandez won the championship with a time of 3:39.00 ahead of runner-up Garrett Heath of Stanford in 3:39.51 and Lee Emanuel of New Mexico in 3:39.66.
Fernandez took the race out in 45.82 seconds for the first 300 meters, with Miller hanging back at 47.13. The lead grew as Fernandez, Heath, Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas and Emanuel went through 700 meters at 1:45.37.
Miller kicked hard with about 1,000 meters to go and had the second-fastest split of the third lap at 57.94. When the lead pack broke away, however, Miller was too far back to mount a charge despite clocking a 56.22 for the final 400 meters.
It was the second All-America finish of the year for Miller, who also finished runner-up to Emanuel in the indoor mile in March.
Miller and teammate Jack Bolas have qualified for the upcoming USA Outdoor Championships in the 1,500, as has junior Ryan Gasper in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase and senior Gwen Jorgensen in the women's 5,000 meters.
A final list of qualifiers accepted into the meet, which runs June 25-28 in Eugene, Ore. will be announced on June 22.
Texas A&M swept the men's and women's team titles Saturday, with Oregon taking runner-up honors on both the men's and women's sides.
The finish made an All-American of Miller for the sixth time in his career and for the third-consecutive year in the 1,500, as he clocked a time of 3:41.31 to narrowly miss out on scoring. The junior earned his All-America status by virtue of being one of the top eight U.S.-born finishers in the race.
Miller also was 12th in the event as a freshman in 2007 and finished fourth at last year's NCAA championships as a sophomore.
He becomes the eighth member of the UW men's program to earn at least six All-America citations, and only two athletes – Chris Solinsky with 11 and Matt Tegenkamp with seven – have earned more.
Oklahoma State freshman German Fernandez won the championship with a time of 3:39.00 ahead of runner-up Garrett Heath of Stanford in 3:39.51 and Lee Emanuel of New Mexico in 3:39.66.
Fernandez took the race out in 45.82 seconds for the first 300 meters, with Miller hanging back at 47.13. The lead grew as Fernandez, Heath, Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas and Emanuel went through 700 meters at 1:45.37.
Miller kicked hard with about 1,000 meters to go and had the second-fastest split of the third lap at 57.94. When the lead pack broke away, however, Miller was too far back to mount a charge despite clocking a 56.22 for the final 400 meters.
It was the second All-America finish of the year for Miller, who also finished runner-up to Emanuel in the indoor mile in March.
Miller and teammate Jack Bolas have qualified for the upcoming USA Outdoor Championships in the 1,500, as has junior Ryan Gasper in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase and senior Gwen Jorgensen in the women's 5,000 meters.
A final list of qualifiers accepted into the meet, which runs June 25-28 in Eugene, Ore. will be announced on June 22.
Texas A&M swept the men's and women's team titles Saturday, with Oregon taking runner-up honors on both the men's and women's sides.
