UTEP’s
Mircea Bogdan won the silver medal on the final day of the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday.
Bogdan – the 2005 champion – place behind BYU’s Josh McAdams in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to take second.
“I forgot about McAdams. I kept watching (Florida State’s Andrew) Lemoncello and he kept watching me. I didn’t think anyone else had a chance,” said Bogdan. “I started kicking lost my rhythm over the third jump and he got away. He proved to be a great champion.
“This is not a disaster, I am just upset that I couldn’t win another title for UTEP. Still I ended my career on a good note.”
Bogdan crossed in 8:35.35 to McAdams’ 8:34.10. Miner sophomore
Patrick Mutai also gained All-America honors in the event finishing eighth (8:44.29).
The Miners scored 31 points to take seventh – their best finish since 2001 – five points out of third place. Florida State was the team champion, chalking up 67 points.
Speedster
Churandy Martina became an All-American in his second and third event of the meet, taking fourth in the 200-meter dash (20.62) and sixth in the 100-meter dash (10.29).
“I came in tired, my hamstrings were tired and my knees were sore. I did my best and I know I can do better than this,” said Martina. “I didn’t have any pull in either race. It was really hard. This was the first time that I have had so many races in one week.”
Alex van der Merwe did not score in the javelin. He was 12th with a best of 203-3 (61.96).
The UTEP women scored seven points behind an All-American effort by
Fatimoh Muhammed to tie for 34th.
Muhammed took fifth in the 800-meter run on Saturday.
“When you plan something good it is nice when it comes to you,” said Muhammed. “My main goal this year was to have a chance to win the national title. This is my third year and I didn’t quite get there, but I am happy with this good finish in the finals.”
She placed fifth, narrowly missing her personal best by running 2:05.49.
UTEP’s distance coach
Paul Ereng was named the Assistant Distance Coach of the Year following the meet.
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