May 27, 2011
Results
Bloomington, Ind. - Sophomore Dean Black placed fourth out of 16 runners in his heat and 15th overall in the 3,000m Steeplechase at the NCAA East Regional at Indiana's Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex on Friday evening.
The top three finishers in each heat advance to the NCAA Championship, plus the next three fastest runners to send 12 runners from the East Region to NCAAs. Black placed 15th overall, just three spots out of the top-12.
"I was really excited to represent Navy tonight and do so well," Black said. "I didn't make nationals but it still was a blast. I owe it all to the coaches and the guys on the team. My teammates really push me in the workouts but Coach Cantello pushes me everywhere else."
Black sat around eighth in his heat at about midway through and then starting moving up with about four laps to go, passing runners one by one and then moving into fourth coming out of the last water pit. Black then finished strong with a new personal record of 8:54.94, good for fourth place in the heat.
"I just came out and tried to hold a steady pace because I knew it was going to be a very competitive race. I tried to stay within striking distance and with about four laps to go I was able to start eating guys up."
Black was seeded as the 32nd fastest runner with a time of 8:58.35. Just a sophomore, Black is already a two-time Patriot League Steeplechase Champion.
Navy will have two more distance runners going on Saturday and one thrower.
Senior Andrew Hanko (ranked 17th in the region) and junior Cody Rome (25th) will run in the 5,000m national semifinals at 8:45 pm and freshman Zachary Duncavage will be in the discus at 5:00 pm. The top-12 athletes from each event will advance to the NCAA Championship.
