Five More All-Americans Help SOU Men Tie Program-Best Finish

5/26/2012 3:36:54 PM

FINAL RESULTS

MARION, Ind. – Facing temperatures approaching triple-digits, the Southern Oregon track and field team picked up five more All-Americans to tie the program record with a sixth-place finish in the men’s team rankings at the NAIA National Championships.

With 33 total points, the SOU men matched the highest finish in program history, joining the 1989 and 2005 teams that also placed sixth at the championship meet. Shorter (Ga.) claimed the national title with 93 points, followed by Azusa Pacific (69), Wayland Baptist (67), Concordia (51) and Indiana Tech (41). The Raider men finished with three points to tie for 46th.

“It was a great meet for both the men’s and women’s teams,” SOU head coach Grier Gatlin said. “Our last day went well even with the blistering conditions, and our times and marks were still good in spite of that.”

Max Perry placed second in the shot put with a throw of 58-1 ¾, his second All-American performance of the meet. James Johnstone earned All-American honors in the men’s steeplechase for the second consecutive year. Johnstone placed third with a time of 9:05.09 after finishing fifth in 2011. Scott McIntyre placed seventh in the steeplechase with a time of 9:20.48 to give the Raiders two All-Americans in the event.

Eric Avila placed sixth in the 1500 with a time of 3:49.1 and Matt Battaglia took seventh in the 800 with a time of 1:52.54, with both earning All-American recognition. Dennis McCaffrey finished 11th in the men’s steeplechase, while Jessie Rozario finished 14th in the women’s steeplechase and Hanna Mason took 19th in the women’s discus.

For the weekend, Southern Oregon totaled nine All-American performances two school records and two national runner-up marks for Perry. The championship meet concludes a 2012 season that included the Raiders’ first indoor competition, netting a pair of All-American performances at the indoor championships in March.

“Everyone competed hard and was very supportive of one another,” Gatlin said. “Their continued support for one another is very inspiring to watch.”

Complete SOU Results:

Men 800 Meter Run
7. Matt Battaglia, 1:52.54*

Men 1500 Meter Run
6. Eric Avila, 3:49.1*

Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase
3. James Johnstone, 9:05.09*
7. Scott McIntyre, 9:20.48*
11. Dennis McCaffrey, 9:35.38

Men Shot Put
2. Max Perry, 17.72m (58-1 ¾)*

Women 3000 Meter Steeplechase
14. Jessie Rozario, 11:59.8

Women Discus
19. Hannah Mason, 39.2m (128-7)

*All-American Performance