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

USTFCCCA Press Release

Feb. 17, 2014 - North Central College distance runner John Crain has been selected as the NCAA Division III Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Crain received the honor after posting the fastest time by any NCAA Division III runner thus far this season in the 3,000-meter run during the Chicagoland Indoor Championships at Al B. Carius Track on Saturday. Crain completed the race in a personal-best time of 8 minutes, 11.42 seconds to break the previous track record by more than 11 seconds and post a time nearly seven seconds faster than any of his Division III counterparts. Crain's performance ranks him sixth all-time in Division III history in the event.

In addition to his nation-leading time at 3,000 meters, Crain also ranks fourth nationally in the 5,000-meter run (14:30.63) and fifth in the mile run (4:09.79). He was the runner-up in the 5,000 at last year's Division III Indoor Championships before placing second in the 10,000 and first in the 5,000 at last spring's Division III Outdoor Championships.

The National Athlete of the Week Awards are a new award bestowed by the USTFCCCA this season. Nominations are open to the public and can be submitted by clicking on the 'Awards' tab at ustfccca.org. Crain was a three-time National Athlete of the Week selection during the 2013 cross country season, the only athlete in the NCAA to be so decorated.

North Central hosts the Cardinal Classic at 5 p.m. on Friday before heading to Illinois Wesleyan University on Feb. 28-Mar. 1 for the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Indoor Championships. The Cardinals have won all 13 previous CCIW Indoor Championship meets.