May 26, 2007

DES MOINES, Iowa - Amanda King, Clerc Koenck and Francis Kasagule each finished in the top eight of their respective races at the Midwest Regional Championship hosted by Drake University in Drake Stadium on Saturday.

King ran to a third place finish in the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase, finishing the race in a time of 10:20.68. The performance vaults her to the National Championship Track Meet, held June 6-9 in Sacramento, Calif. Entering the weekend King ranked 13th in the NCAA in the steeplechase.

"She has one more meet left to run as a member of the Lamar University track team," head coach Trey Clark said. "This is a great way for a senior to end her career. She has had a wonderful career even without a trip to the NCAA championship, but this is just icing on the cake."

Koenck, who set a school record in the women's 1,500 meter run in Friday's prelims, took seventh place in the 1,500 meter final with a 4:24.54 performance. She set the new Lamar University school record on Friday afternoon with a 4:23.87 performance.

"This has been a great experience for Clerc," Clark said. "To come back after running so well on Friday, and basically duplicating her effort today is great. She has learned a lot form this meet and can take a lot back with her for next season."

Kasagule, the only men's runner participating in the regional for LU, took eighth place in the men's 1,500 meter run with a 3:43.37 performance. His effort was a personal-best by more than three seconds, and is the new Lamar University school record. The previous school record was 3:43.69, set by Pedro Caceres in 1983.

"The men's 1,500 was an unbelievable race," Clark said. "To have eight guys in one region finish under 3:44 is almost unheard of. Francis ran a great race and was a personal best for him, which makes it even better. He has put together three really strong seasons in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, and that says a lot about him. He is a very talented young man and is committed to being successful."

With Renee Graham finishing in eighth place in the women's 5,000 meter run, all four LU competitors finished in the top eight of their races. The top five finishers in every event automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship, but the NCAA may also award a minimum of five at-large bids in each event for the national championship meet. Graham, Kasagule and Koenck will find out on Tuesday if they will receive an invitation.

"This was a very successful regional meet for us," Clark said. "All four of our runners had strong performances and we set a couple of new school records in the process. Now we will just cross our fingers and see if any of the three get an invite to the NCAA Championship."