CSR (Calvin NCAA III Track and Field Championships Day Two Report)

From: Jeffrey Febus <jfebus@calvin.edu>
Date: Fri May 22 2009 - 19:44:24 EDT

NCAA III CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY TWO (MAY 22, 2009) REPORT

MARIETTA, OH -- One year after enduring an agonizing national meet, Calvin
College senior Nate DeHaan was able to emerge with all smiles. On Friday night,
the Grand Rapids South Christian High School graduate claimed an All-America
berth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, finishing sixth at the NCAA III Outdoor
Track and Field Championships with a career-best time of 9:06.00. A year ago,
DeHaan competed in the event at the national meet but lost one of his shoes
after being spiked on the opening lap. DeHaan ran the rest of the way with one
shoe on and one shoe off and courageously ran near the top of the pack for all
but the final lap-and-a-half when he faded back to 12th place because of
fatigue and pounding on his bare foot.

On Friday, DeHaan stayed out of trouble and ran a strong race from
start-to-finish to become the eighth individual in Calvin men's track and field
history to earn All-America honors in the steeplechase including the first
since Andy Yazzie did so in 2003.

"I could not be any prouder than I am right now of Nate DeHaan," said Calvin
distance coach Brian Diemer - himself a Grand Rapids South Christian High
School graduate and a three-time U.S. Olympian in the steeplechase. "Nate runs
with so much heart and passion that you just can't help root for him. Everyone
in our entire track and field program is proud of Nate, especially after what
happened last year."

DeHaan shrugged off the circumstances of last year's race at the national
meet. "The steeplechase is kind of a crazy race where anything can happen,"
said DeHaan in an interview earlier this week. "Sometimes you catch a bad break
but the only thing to do is forget about it and move on to the next race. Our
primary goal as runners at Calvin is to glorify God in all that we do including
our running on the track. If we go out, give it our best shot and give God all
the glory, then we've done what we're supposed to do."

DeHaan also thanked Diemer and fellow Calvin distance coach Al Hoekstra for
their instruction. "I could not have accomplished what I have at Calvin without
Brian and Al. Brian was the one who encouraged me to give the steeplechase a
try and obviously he knows a thing or two about the race. Al has given me
motivation and courage to give it my best. I owe a lot to both of my distance
coaches."

The All-America berth was the second of DeHaan's racing career at Calvin as he
also garnered All-America honors as a sophomore at the 2006 NCAA III Cross
Country Championships. Peter Kosgei of Hamilton won the race with a time of
8:56.67.

DeHaan was one of two Calvin runners in the men's steeplechase on Friday night
as junior Aaron Goodman (Milwaukee, WI) was 10th in a time of 9:16.65. The race
marked Goodman's first ever experience at an NCAA III Championship event.

"Aaron ran great, particularly for his first race at nationals," said Diemer.
"Tonight's race featured a very powerful field of runners but Aaron did not
back down and showed he belonged. He has a chance to do even bigger things for
us next year, both in cross country and in track."

The All-America performance by DeHaan was the second of the meet for the
Calvin men as senior Jed Christiansen was fourth in the 10,000 meters the night
before. The Knights currently have eight points and are tied for 12th place
with one day of competition left.

On the women's side, Calvin had two individuals compete in the 3,000 meter
steeplechase Friday night as junior Elizabeth Smit (Kirlkland, WA) placed 15th
(11:00.15) and sophomore Gretchen Braymer (Erie, PA) placed 16th (11:01.37).

In prelim events on Friday, senior Lauren Bergstrom (Rochester, MN) advanced
to Saturday's finals in the 800 meters with a time of 2:12.41. Bergstrom is
seeded seventh for Saturday's finals.

Junior Heather Koning (Kalamazoo Christian HS) competed in the 400 meter
prelims and just missed advancing to the finals, clocking in with a time of
56.88 that was the 10th-best time of the day.

Finally, sophomore Sarah Reasoner (Cambridge, MN) competed in the discus on
Friday but did not advance to the finals. Her best throw was a toss of 133-3.

Scheduled to compete for the Calvin women on Saturday are senior Julie Bratt
(Lynden, WA) in the triple jump, sophomore Rachel Boerner (Bergenfield, NJ) in
the 400 meter hurdles, Reasoner in the shot put and Bergstrom in the 800
meters. On the men's side, Christiansen is scheduled to compete in the 5,000
meters.

3,000 METER STEEPLECHASE – CALVIN MEN'S ALL-AMERICANS
1987 – Pat McNamara – 7th place
1989 – Pat McNamara – 1st place
1990 - John Lumkes – 1st place
1993 – Matt Schellenberg – 3rd place
1995 – Jason Washler – 7th place
1998 – Geoff Van Dragt – 3rd place
2002 – Justin Pfruender – 3rd place
2003 – Andy Yazzie – 7th place
2009 – Nate DeHaan – 6th place

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Fri May 22 19:45:57 2009

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.8 : Fri May 22 2009 - 19:45:57 EDT