Ian LaMere Repeats as 10,000m National Champion
Ian LaMere won his second consecutive 10,000m national title during day one of the NCAA Championships.
WAVERLY, Iowa - Ian LaMere won his second consecutive 10,000m national title during day one of the NCAA Championships.
Race time temperatures were in the 80s and water stations were set up around the track to help the runners cool off during the race. After a cautious start by the field LaMere took the lead and pulled the field along at a faster pace, occasionally sharing the lead with others. After the halfway mark LaMere started separating from the field by a few seconds. With every lap LaMere pulled away even more eventually finishing 28 seconds ahead of second place.
"It was hot" exclaimed LaMere, "being fit helps, but I think wearing extra clothes during training really helped".
LaMere crossed the finish in 30:21.40 setting a new facility record and finishing 23 seconds faster than his winning time from last year. LaMere will compete again on Saturday during the 5,000m finals, a race that saw him finish 4th at last year's championships.
Also earning All-American honors for the Pioneers was Amber Williams in the long jump. Williams took the lead with her second jump but was soon eclipsed by others during the third round of jumps. Williams headed into finals with the third best jump of her career, 19-4.25 (5.90m), but was not able to better her mark. Williams finished fifth to earn her tenth All-American honor.
Also competing for the Pioneers were pole vaulters Garrett Riggs and Matt Dwyer. Riggs and Dwyer both cleared 16-0.75 (4.90m) without any previous misses. Both were unsuccessful at 16-4.75 (5.00m) and finished tied for 9th.
The men's 4x100m relay made their second consecutive appearance at the national meet but was unable to advance to finals finishing 14th with a time of 41.71.
The men's 4x400m relay posted the second fastest time of the season but were unable to advance finishing 14th with a time of 3:15.45.
The women's 4x400m relay also ran the second fastest time of the season. The lady Pioneers finished in 12th place with a time of 3:49.25.
Competition resumes Friday with Kyle Whaley in the men's shot put, Dan Arnold in the 110m hurdle prelims and Wyatt Thompson in the 400m prelims.