Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Notes: Wisconsin Eau Claire senior Chris Wirtz improved on his fourth place finish from last year to win the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:56.20, setting a stadium record. Dickinson College senior Nick Karwoski was second in 8:58.99 and University of Rochester junior Brian Lang was third in 9:00.51.
Chris Wirtz Quotes
Without three-time defending champion not here this year, does that leave the door open for a new face? “The main thing was my consistent training and all my hard work. Those are the two big points that I focus on in terms of hard work and being consistent.”
On what his race plan was for today? “Before the race, I wanted to stay cool and stay out of the sun and conserve my energy. As for the race plan, I wanted to go out really hot and set a very good pace. I wanted to do a sub-70 second pace the first lap, and then let all the other people do the work and push it with a mile to go. That’s what happened, and I am very glad with my finish.”
Talk about the uniqueness of the steeplechase as an event: “I think it’s special because it takes a lot of guts. The 3,000 meters is a tough distance to begin with, but when you add in 35 barriers and put a water pit in there, it just adds to the difficulty. It’s definitely challenging, and it takes a unique individual to come out on top in this race.”
3000m Steeplechase
1 Chris Wirtz, Sr, Wisconsin Eau Claire 8:56.20
DIII Season's Best
Stadium record
Was 8:58.04; Sandu Rebencluc, Augustana, 1993
2 Nick Karwoski, Sr, Dickinson College 8:58.99
3 Brian Lang, Jr, Univ of Rochester 9:00.51
4 Nick Kramer, So, Calvin College 9:04.28
5 Paul Thistle, Sr, SusquehannaUniversity 9:04.33
6 Brian Gillis, Sr, Pomona-Pitzer 9:06.29
7 Anders Crabo, So, Pomona-Pitzer 9:07.28
8 Jack Davies, Fr, Middlebury College 9:07.54
9 Calvin Lee, Sr, New York University 9:13.09
10 Alden Black, Sr, Washington (Missouri) 9:22.06
11 Ben Van Wyk, Jr, Calvin College 9:23.99
12 Aaron Goodman, Sr, Calvin College 9:28.34
13 Florian Scheulen, Sr, ClaremontMuddScripps 9:29.92
14 Sean Carlson, Sr, North Central College 9:32.70
15 Chris Kane, Sr, North Central College 9:44.01
16 David Woodson, Sr, Christopher Newport 9:52.30