June 7, 2006
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Navy men's track and field season came to an end on Wednesday afternoon as sophomore Paul Harris (Woodbury, Minn.) did not qualify for the semifinals as he finished 23rd during the preliminary round of the 800-meter run at the 2006 NCAA Championship hosted by Sacramento State.
Harris crossed the finish line in 1:50.13 to place fifth among six runners in the second of four heats of the 800-meter run. The top-three runners in each heat plus the next-four fastest times advanced to the semifinal round tomorrow.
The sophomore became the first Midshipman in 61 years and only second Navy runner in program history to compete in the half-mile at the national championship. Prior to Harris' effort on Wednesday, F.B. Carlon last competed for the Mids as he finished seventh in the 880-yard run during the 1945 NCAA Championship.
Courtesy of Harris, Navy was represented at the NCAA Championship for the 32nd time in school history. The Midshipmen ended their outdoor season with an 8-1 record, placed second at the Patriot League Championship, 38th at the IC4A Championship and 42nd at the NCAA East Regional Championship.
