Dallas Baptist’s Katie Noss wins National Championship in 5000 meters; Sage and Poynor All-Americans

by PegNews wire

In her last race of her collegiate career, Senior track standout Katie Noss ended on top with a National Championship in the Women's 5000 meters at the NCCAA Outdoor National Track Meet hosted by Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Noss, who was last year's National Champion over the 5000 meter distance, has been a three time NCCAA National Champion (2007 Indoor DMR) and 8 time NCCAA All-American. She ended her DBU and collegiate career by leading the women's 5000 meter race from start to finish with no challenge from any runner after the first mile of the race. Noss won the race in a time of 17:47.

"I thought it was a perfect end to a brilliant career as Katie was able to go out on top," second year Head Coach Jacob Phillips commented. "She really was shooting for a fast time and maybe even the national record, but with no challenge she was sort of able to just dictate the pace and run comfortably and get the win which trumps time any day."

Noss also competed in the women's 4x800 meter relay with Freshmen Lacey Morrison, Hannah Steffan, and Ashley Alford, which finished 9th.

Also earning All-American honors for the women was freshman sprinter Michella Poynor, who finished her Freshman season with a third place finish in the women's 200 meters. Poynor came into the event ranked fourth before finishing third. Her teammate, Freshman Lily Stapp joined Poynor in the finals of the 100 meters with a sixth place finish. Poynor finished fourth in the 100 meters.

Both Stapp and Poynor were a part of the women's sprint relay team that finished fifth overall; running with Stapp and Poynor were Freshman Chanese Jones and Senior Tricia Ward.

Representing the Men's track squad and earning All-American honors was Garrett Sage. Sage placed second overall in the Men's 3000 meter steeplechase and crushed his own DBU record for the event with a 9:41 finish. Sage had come into the race ranked third. The second place finish added to Sage's string of top six finishes, as he finished the outdoor season never finishing below sixth place in any steeple event.

"Garrett ran with a lot of guts today. He didn't want to settle for a second or third place finish, so he went with the pre-race favorite and tried to run with him as long as possible, in doing that he sets a personal best, as well as a new DBU record for the event and became the first distance runner on the men's side to earn All-American honors for us," commented Phillips.

Running well for the men was Freshman Felix Rodriguez in the 5000 meters, Sophomore Matt Hansen in the 3000 meter steeplechase, and Freshman Caleb Styne in the 110 Hurdles. Senior Javelin thrower David Waggoner ended his collegiate career with a 9th place finish in the men's javelin.

"This has been a great year and to be able to be a part of two National Championships and several All-American honors is truly a blessing. I'm excited with the direction that Patriot Track and Field Team is heading and can't wait to see these young athletes compete with a full year under them. We were blessed this year with health and with the ability to compete at our bests and now we can take the summer to recharge and get prepared for next year," noted Head Coach Jacob Phillips.

Source: Dallas Baptist