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

CCIW Press Release

Feb. 18, 2014 - North Central College distance runner John Crain has been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Track and Field Runner of the Week for Feb. 10-16, earning the award for the third time this season.

Crain became the first CCIW athlete receive the honor three times 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 and earned him the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week Award as well.

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.

North Central hosts the Cardinal Classic on Friday in its final competition before the CCIW Indoor Championships. Field events will begin at 4:30 p.m., with running events to follow at 5:00.