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Owls Qualify Three for NCAA Track Championships
KEENE, N.H., 3/10/09 - Keene State will have three competitors
among the 446 athletes representing 134 colleges from 27 states
participating in the 25th annual NCAA Division III Indoor Track and
Field National Championships at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
in Terra Haute, Indiana, this Friday and Saturday (March 13 and
14).
All three athletes are from the Keene State men's team. Sophomore
Craig MacPerson (Derry, N.H.) is the top seed in
the mile, sophomore Bryan Kolacz (Brentwood, N.H.)
is the third seed in the weight throw, and senior Peter
Najem (Derry, N.H.) is seeded sixth in the 800-meter
race.
The only Owl All-American among the trio, MacPherson became the
first KSC freshman to earn an individual indoor honor with his
third-place finish in the mile at last year's national meet.
"Craig is focused and ready to race," said KSC Coach Peter
Thomas. "He's been there and knows what it takes."
MacPherson, who missed 10 days of training due to an illness, came
back to finish third in the mile at the New England Championships.
"I'm in as good shape as I'm going to be and supremely confident,"
he said. "I'm ready to go out there and show that I'm one of the
best milers in Division III."
After capturing the weight-throw event at the Little East Alliance
meet with a school-record mark of 60' 0.834" and placing first at
the New England Division III championships, Kolacz took some time
off to prepare for the nationals.
"Bryan has put in a lot of hard training and will hopefully peak at
nationals," said KSC throwing coach Darcy Wilson.
"My hope for him is that he reaches the finals and competes
well."
Kolacz, who qualified for the NCAA outdoor championships in the
hammer throw last spring, has set his goals high. "I'm looking for
a top-three performance," Kolacz said. "I think that's easily
attainable for me."
Unsuccessful in reaching the championships as a member of Keene
State's distant medley relay team the past three years, Najem will
be making his first appearance on the national stage.
Najem has been cursed throughout his college career. Contracting
mono as a freshman, he also got sick after a few strong showings as
a sophomore and then suffered a knee injury last year. "It feels
great to be healthy," said Najem, who has elevated his performances
this season, setting a school record in the 800 (1:52.99) at the
New England championships. "This is my last year, so I decided to
practice and give 100 percent, and it's paid off."
MacPherson and Najem will race in preliminary heats on Friday,
looking to post qualifying times for Saturday's final. Kolacz jumps
right into the fire, with qualifying and finals in the weight throw
taking place on Friday.
