FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

USTFCCCA Press Release

Apr. 2, 2013 - North Central College men's track and field athlete John Crain has been recognized as the NCAA Division III National Athlete of the Week for Mar. 25-31 by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Crain received the honor on the strength of his performance in the Cardinals' First Chance Invitational on Thursday and Friday at Buikema Track, during which he won two events. Crain opened his weekend with a victory in the 10,000-meter run on Thursday, finishing in a time of 29 minutes, 55.49 seconds to establish a personal best by just over a minute and post the fastest time in Division III thus far this outdoor season. Currently second on the national list is teammate Roger Klein (30:26.40).

On Friday, Crain returned to the track and won the 1,500-meter run in 3:57.28, which ranks fourth nationally.

Crain qualified for last year's Division III Outdoor Championships in the 5,000-meter run and is a two-time indoor All-American, including a second-place finish in the 5,000 at this year's indoor championships in March. He also earned All-America honors last fall in cross country, helping lead the Cardinals to the national championship.

North Central returns to competition Friday and Saturday as it competes in the Chicagoland Outdoor Championships, hosted by Lewis University.