FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Results
BEREA, Ohio (May 29, 2010) - The North Central College men's track and field team plucked the final jewel of a rare triple crown Saturday at Baldwin-Wallace College, as the Cardinals protected a huge early lead and claimed the program's 20th national title at the 2010 NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships.
The victory makes North Central just the second team in Division III history to sweep the national cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field championships in one academic year. North Central College now claims 25 team national championships.
North Central totaled 53 points in the three-day meet to easily outdistance runner-up Salisbury University's total of 36.
"It's been a year of really coming together as a team and finding out what that really means, changing it from a word to a feeling," head coach Al Carius said. "Our guys have continuously regrouped and got back together and continued to go forward. So many times along the way, things happened that could have interrupted that process, but it's a real credit to everyone who has contributed to this effort. It's a tremendous finish for this meet and for the year."
Entering the day with 41 points and a 24-point advantage, the Cardinals turned their focus to the three remaining events in which they competed. Jacob Austin opened North Central's afternoon in the 1,500-meter final, and was in contention for All-America honors before being nicked up in a mid-race collision and winding up 10th overall (3:58.37).
The Cardinals' Matthew Borchardt took part in the high jump and was able to add a second All-America certificate to the one he claimed indoors in the pentathlon, placing eighth overall with a clearance of 6 feet, 8 inches.
By clearing his opening height on his first attempt, Borchardt earned the advantage in the tiebreaker over three other competitors.
"I've been so close to qualifying in the high jump since my freshman year," he said. "To be an All-American in my first outdoor national championship is awesome. It was my goal to say I contributed to the triple crown."
Shortly after Borchardt's performance in the high jump was complete, it became evident that none of the Cardinals' competitors would be able to surpass them, but North Central's Kyle Brady and Michael Spain still had business to attend to in the 5,000-meter run.
Both individuals ran in the middle of the pack through the first half of the race. Brady moved up and took the lead with just over 1,000 meters to go, while Spain moved up to fourth place.
Brady was denied in his bid to win a second national title in the weekend, as Williams College senior Connor Kamm emerged late to win one of the fastest Division III championship race in recent years in 14:28.06. Dickinson College senior Nick Karwoski placed second (14:29.45), narrowly edging out Brady (14:29.99), while Spain finished fourth (14:39.55).
Brady is the one Cardinal to have participated in all three of the program's national championship meets this academic year.
"I can't picture a better way to go out," the senior said. "It's just a magical experience that I couldn't have even imagined."
Carius referred to Brady as one of a host of leaders that have emerged throughout a year to remember.
"Leadership is influence, leadership is certainly more in actions than words," Carius said. "What he has meant all along with his personal growth has been monumental. We've got a lot of seniors in the same situation as him that have provided that leadership that really started four years ago, helping to really turn this program around. These guys will move on, but the path remains for those that are smart enough to follow it."
