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

USTFCCCA National Award Winners

June 2, 2011-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association announced its award winners for the 2011 outdoor track & field season on Wednesday with North Central College's Michael Spain earning National Track Athlete of the Year accolades.

Spain earns the honor after winning the individual national title in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs, becoming the first athlete to win both events in the same season in NCAA Division III since 2006 when Widener University's Macharia Yuot achieved the feat. The senior outdueled the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Thomas Breitbach in the final laps to win the 10K on Thursday in 29:58.92 before claiming the 5K title two days later, finishing in 14:41.15 after mounting a huge surge over the final laps to move from sixth to the lead.

Spain's efforts helped the Cardinals score 58 points, edging the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse by two points for their second consecutive NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championship.

The senior closed his decorated career as a seven-time All-American and a three-time national champion on the track, while earning three All-America certificates as a member of the cross country squad.