NCAA Day 3: Two Illustrious Careers Come to an End

Ian LaMere and Amber Williams competed for the Pioneers for the final time. On the third and final day of the NCAA Championships, LaMere and Williams put on the Pioneer uniform one last time.

After winning the 10,000m on Thursday, LaMere tried to defend his 5,000m title. The pace got off to a slow start but LaMere settled behind the leaders. The event turned into a middle distance race as the pace didn't start to pick up until the final three laps. Williams' Peter Hale took the lead and started to push for the final sprint. The lead changed a few as four runners, including LaMere battled for the top spot. On the final lap LaMere sat in fourth place as the final sprint began. With 200 meters to go, LaMere felt the effects of his efforts on Thursday and lost contact with the top three runners. He held his spot to finish fourth in 14:23.01. Hale won the final sprint and the title with a time of 14:15.38 and a final lap of 57.79 seconds.

LaMere ends his career as a 4-time Track and 2-Time Cross Country National Champion. Throughout his career he has become a 9-time track All-American and 2-time cross country All-American. He holds the national record in the 10,000m and has the second fastest indoor and third fastest outdoor 5,000m. LaMere ends his collegiate career as arguably the best distance runner in Division III history.

Williams competed in the triple jump. She headed in with the eighth best jump of the season. Williams opened up with a solid 12.10m (39-8) jump that would move her into third place. Two jumpers passed her in the next two rounds. Williams responded with a 12.15m (39-10.5) attempt but it wasn't enough to move her up from fifth. During the final three rounds Williams maintained her place but was unable to improve her mark. She finished the competition in fifth place with a season best jump.

Williams ends her career as a two-time national champion and 15-time All-American. All 15 All-American honors came in individual events, the most Pioneer in school history.

LaMere's 15 points over the weekend earned the Pioneers an 18^th place finish in the team score. William's 14 points earned the Pioneers a tie for 17^th place. UW-La Crosse won the men's title with 47 points with UW-Whitewater runner-up with 45 points. The women's team title was won by Washington University with 56 points.