FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

USTFCCCA Regional Award Winners

May 24, 2011-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association announced its regional award winners on Monday with North Central College men's track & field athlete Michael Spain earning Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year honors.

The senior distance runner claims Track Athlete of the Year honors after leading the nation in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. Spain's time of 14:15.79 in the 5K is almost two seconds faster than the next closest competitor while his 10K effort of 29:37.82 ran at the season opening NCC First Chance Invitational on April 1 is the nation's best time by almost 12 seconds.

This is the second time this calendar year Spain has been recognized by the USTFCCCA, winning Midwest Region Runner of the Year during the cross country season in November.

Spain, the 2011 indoor national champion in the 5,000-meter run, will attempt to pull off the double at this weekend's NCAA Division III National Championships hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University, running in both the 10K and 5K races. The 10,000-meter run is slated for 8:15 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday while the 5,000-meter run is set for 4:25 p.m. on Saturday.