May 27, 2011

Pecora Crowned National Champion 3000 Meter Steeplechase

Watch the post race interview here

(Delaware, Ohio) - In a dominant performance, senior Kent Pecora (Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill) won the Division III national championship in the 3000 meter steeplechase. His Centennial Conference and school record time of 8:51.85 is the eighth fastest in Division III history.

Late in the race, Pecora encountered a bit of drama as a competitor bumped him into the rail. Ten meters later though, Pecora regrouped and threw in a surge that broke the field with just under 600 meters to go. His last lap and a half was run in under 1:40, and his last 400 was timed between 62 and 63 seconds.

Former Red Devils Caitlin Bradley '08 and Denise Shotwell '89 previously captured national titles in track & field. Pecora becomes the second Dickinson male athlete to win an NCAA National Championship. Clydde Vedder '77 claimed the Devils' first in the the 100 yard butterfly in 1976.

Pecora bested the 19-man field to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase after failing to meet the national qualifying standard one season ago. "It's unbelievable really," said Pecora of his ascent to the championship. "Last year I was in the stands watching the steeplechase and that's really what motivated me this entire year to give it everything I could."

Pecora followed up his national title an 11th place finish in the 5,000 meters on Saturday afternoon. He crossed the line in 15:01.98 in his second event of the weekend.

For complete Championship information http://bishops.owu.edu/ncaatf/