Title:

Champions aim to extend title runs

Subheadline: Preview: Florida, North Central (Ill.) in pursuit of three-peats

Byline:

NCAA.com

Updated date:

Last Updated - January 11, 2012 12:49 GMT

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DIVISION I

Miles Batty
BYU
Senior

Key Notes:
• Captured his first individual national title with a win in the mile run clocking in at 3:59.49
• Ran the anchor leg on the Cougars’ national championship distance medley relay team
• Broke the BYU record in the mile at the UW Husky Classic with a time of 3:55.79

Kyron Blaise
LSU
Senior

Key Notes:
• NCAA Championships qualifier in both the long jump and triple jump in 2011
• Won the triple jump title at the New Balance Collegiate Invite with an NCAA qualifying mark of 53-2¼ feet
• Set an indoor personal best in the long jump with a jump of 25-6¼ feet at the LSU Indoor Qualifier

Derek Drouin
Indiana
Junior

Key Notes:
• Won the individual national championship in the high jump for the second consecutive year
• Recorded the highest winning jump at the NCAA championship meet since 2000 by clearing 7-7¾ feet last season
• Named the 2011 Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year

Maurice Mitchell
Florida State
Senior

Key Notes:
• Named 2011 ACC Indoor Track Performer of the Year.
• Two-time All-American in 2011 by completing the 200m dash in 20.41 and the 60m dash in 6.55 (good for a third -place finish) at the NCAA Championships
• Won his second consecutive ACC title in the 60m dash with a time of 6.62.

Lonnie Pugh
Michigan State
Junior

Key Notes:
• Placed fifth at the NCAA Championships in the weight throw with a toss of 21.06 meters.
• Holds school records for discus throw (58.64 meters), hammer throw (62.82 meters) and weight throw (21.06 meters)

DIVISION II

Cameron Daugherty
Slippery Rock
Junior

Key Notes:
• Holds the school record in the indoor pole vault (5.15 meters)
• Earned All-American honors after placing fourth with an SRU record clearance of 5.15 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships
• Finished first at the PSAC Championships with a mark of 4.87 meters

Nick Jones
Abilene Christian
Junior

Key Notes:
• Placed fourth in the shot put with a throw of 18.25 meters at the NCAA Championships
• One of only four Wildcats to contribute points (5) to Abilene’s championship effort at the 2011 NCAA Championships
• Has won three Lonestar Conference individual titles in his career

Selasi Lumax
Southern Connecticut
Senior

Key Notes:
• Two-time All-American in 2011 (800 meter dash and 4×400 relay)
• Posted a time of 2:29.43 to win the Northeast-10 Conference championship in the 1,000 meters
• Finished third in the 800 meters, recording a time of 1:49.47 at the New England Indoor Championships

Mack McLain
Colorado Mines
Senior

Key Notes:
• Won an individual national title in the mile run (4:08.32) at the NCAA Championships
• Established a school record of 3:43.20 in the 1,500 meter run.
• Part of Orediggers’ distance medley relay squad that finished second place at the 2011 NCAA Championships

Aduo Omot
Augustana (S.D.)
Junior

Key Notes:
• 2011 national champion in 800-meter run (1:51.20), earning All-American status
• Also ran for Vikings’ distance medley relay team which finished third (9:58.72) at NCAA Championships
• Won the NSIC individual championship in the 1,000 meter run with a time of 2:32.94

Division III

Kevin Coyle
Springfield (Mass.)
Senior

Key Notes:
• Won the national title in the long jump at 2011 NCAA Championships while also finishing fourth in the triple jump
• Named the 2011 USTFCCCA Division III National Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year

Jonas Elusme
Wartburg
Sophomore

Key Notes:
• Accounted for all nine of the Knights’ points at the 2011 NCAA Championships
• Had a sixth-place finish in the long jump (23-2¼ feet) and a third-place showing in the long jump (6-9¾ feet) at the national meet

Ethan Miller
Central (Iowa)
Senior

Key Notes:
• Tied for a meet-best three All-American designations at the 2011 NCAA Championships
• Racked up 26 points himself at the national meet by winning the high jump and earning runner-up honors in the long jump and pentathlon

Ben Scheetz
Amherst
Senior

Key Notes:
• Became just the second Lord Jeff to capture a national title in 2011 by winning the 800 meter run last year
• Holds school records in the 400, 500, 600 and 800-meter events
• Named the 2011 USTFCCCA Indoor Track Athlete of the Year

Matt Turlip
NYU
Senior

Key Notes:
• Two-time All-American at the 2011 NCAA Championships
• Garnered a fourth-place finish in the mile run and a sixth-place showing in the 1,500 meter event
• Notched a career-best time in the mile (4:06.65) at the Boston Invite

Division I
Florida Gators Noting Florida: The two-time defending national champions will look to extend their national championship streak to three in 2012. The Gators were the first Division I team to win back-to-back titles since conference rival Arkansas accomplished the feat in 2005-06. If Florida hopes to win a third consecutive national championship, they will have to do it minus a key member from last year’s team. Will Claye totaled 18 points at the 2011 national meet to help spark the Gators and his contributions will have to be made up somehow. Look for junior Jeff Demps and senior Christian Taylor to pick up the slack as Florida aims to continue its dominance in 2012. Texas A&M Aggies Noting Texas A&M: The Aggies came up just short at last year’s NCAA Championships as Texas A&M finished in second-place, only 12 points back of national champion Florida. The Aggies, who have won three consecutive outdoor national championships, are looking to finally break through and win their first indoor title in 2012. Eight returning All-Americans highlight the returnees for Texas A&M as Michael Preble — who holds school records in the 600 and 800 meter events — looks to power the Aggies towards a national championship. LSU Tigers Noting LSU: The Tigers, along with SEC foe Arkansas, had a national-best 18 All-Americans for the fourth-place squad at last year’s NCAA Championships. Ten of those All-Americans are back this season as LSU looks to wrestle the national championship away from conference rival Florida. Kyron Blaise, a 2011 All-American in both the long and triple jumps, looks to help the Tigers make the leap past the Gators and onto the school’s third national title and first since 2004.

Division I

Florida Gators

Noting Florida: The two-time defending national champions will look to extend their national championship streak to three in 2012. The Gators were the first Division I team to win back-to-back titles since conference rival Arkansas accomplished the feat in 2005-06. If Florida hopes to win a third consecutive national championship, they will have to do it minus a key member from last year’s team. Will Claye totaled 18 points at the 2011 national meet to help spark the Gators and his contributions will have to be made up somehow. Look for junior Jeff Demps and senior Christian Taylor to pick up the slack as Florida aims to continue its dominance in 2012.

Texas A&M Aggies

Noting Texas A&M: The Aggies came up just short at last year’s NCAA Championships as Texas A&M finished in second-place, only 12 points back of national champion Florida. The Aggies, who have won three consecutive outdoor national championships, are looking to finally break through and win their first indoor title in 2012. Eight returning All-Americans highlight the returnees for Texas A&M as Michael Preble — who holds school records in the 600 and 800 meter events — looks to power the Aggies towards a national championship.

LSU Tigers

Noting LSU: The Tigers, along with SEC foe Arkansas, had a national-best 18 All-Americans for the fourth-place squad at last year’s NCAA Championships. Ten of those All-Americans are back this season as LSU looks to wrestle the national championship away from conference rival Florida. Kyron Blaise, a 2011 All-American in both the long and triple jumps, looks to help the Tigers make the leap past the Gators and onto the school’s third national title and first since 2004.

DIVISION II
Abilene Christian Wildcats Noting Abilene Christian: Abilene Christian captured its record 13th indoor national championship in 2011. Last year’s title was quite possibly the Wildcats’ most improbable one yet as they not only won with a record-low 49 points, they also won despite having only six entries in the event. Each of those athletes came through though — all notching at least a fourth-place finish — as the Wildcats held off Ashland to win their first crown since 2005. Nick Jones, a 2011 All-American who finished in fourth-place in the weight throw at the NCAA Championships, looks to provide the leadership Abilene will need in pursuit of back-to-back titles. Ashland Eagles Noting Ashland: One year after placing second at the 2011 NCAA Championships, the Ashland Eagles are back and aiming higher than ever. Last year’s runner-up finish was the best in school history and Eagles are confident they can take the next step this season. Seniors Ryan Loughney and Tom Scott look to bring the type of leadership Ashland will need if they are to have a chance at unseating perennial power Abilene Christian atop the team standings at this year’s national meet. Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers Noting Lincoln: Despite having 11 All-Americans named at the 2011 NCAA Championships the Blue Tigers came up short by finishing in just third place in the team portion of the event. Nine of those honorees return to try and help Lincoln continue its ascent in the world of college track and field. Junior Steve Banton and Dane Hyatt will look to try and propel the Blue Tigers to their first national title in 2012.

DIVISION II

Abilene Christian Wildcats

Noting Abilene Christian: Abilene Christian captured its record 13th indoor national championship in 2011. Last year’s title was quite possibly the Wildcats’ most improbable one yet as they not only won with a record-low 49 points, they also won despite having only six entries in the event. Each of those athletes came through though — all notching at least a fourth-place finish — as the Wildcats held off Ashland to win their first crown since 2005. Nick Jones, a 2011 All-American who finished in fourth-place in the weight throw at the NCAA Championships, looks to provide the leadership Abilene will need in pursuit of back-to-back titles.

Ashland Eagles

Noting Ashland: One year after placing second at the 2011 NCAA Championships, the Ashland Eagles are back and aiming higher than ever. Last year’s runner-up finish was the best in school history and Eagles are confident they can take the next step this season. Seniors Ryan Loughney and Tom Scott look to bring the type of leadership Ashland will need if they are to have a chance at unseating perennial power Abilene Christian atop the team standings at this year’s national meet.

Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers

Noting Lincoln: Despite having 11 All-Americans named at the 2011 NCAA Championships the Blue Tigers came up short by finishing in just third place in the team portion of the event. Nine of those honorees return to try and help Lincoln continue its ascent in the world of college track and field. Junior Steve Banton and Dane Hyatt will look to try and propel the Blue Tigers to their first national title in 2012.

DIVISION III
North Central (Ill.) Cardinals Noting North Central: The Cardinals took home their second consecutive national title in 2011 following the closest battle in NCAA history. The top four teams on the leaderboard were seperated by a mere three points as North Central barely won the crown with 45 points topping Central (42), Wisconsin-La Crosse (43) and Wisconsin-Oshkosh (42). As is usually the case the Cardinals bring back a wealth of talent this year as they gun for the program’s third national championship in a row and fourth overall. Central (Iowa) Dutch Noting Central: Ethan Miller, one of two athletes who earned three All-American honors in three different events at lasts year’s NCAA Championships, nearly led the Dutch to their first national title in 2011. Considering only three players contributed points to last season’s national runner-up effort the hopes are high in Pella, Iowa. Central looks to have a more balanced team heading into the season. Miller — who placed second in the pentaholon and long jump events before winning the high jump — looks to provide the leadership the Dutch will need if they plan on taking the next step in 2012. Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles Noting Wisconsin-La Crosse: The Eagles nearly captured their NCAA-best 16th national championship in 2011 but they finished two points back of North Central (Ill.) and had to settle for a third place finish. Wisconsin-La Crosse, which had the second-most All-Americans at last years NCAA Championships with 14, returns a wealth of talent as they look to end their longest drought — only three years — without winning a national title since 2000. David Stilin, Isaac Vazquez and Paul Yerhot all garnered multiple All-American honors last season and all return in 2012 to provide a strong leadership presence for the Eagles.

DIVISION III

North Central (Ill.) Cardinals

Noting North Central: The Cardinals took home their second consecutive national title in 2011 following the closest battle in NCAA history. The top four teams on the leaderboard were seperated by a mere three points as North Central barely won the crown with 45 points topping Central (42), Wisconsin-La Crosse (43) and Wisconsin-Oshkosh (42). As is usually the case the Cardinals bring back a wealth of talent this year as they gun for the program’s third national championship in a row and fourth overall.

Central (Iowa) Dutch

Noting Central: Ethan Miller, one of two athletes who earned three All-American honors in three different events at lasts year’s NCAA Championships, nearly led the Dutch to their first national title in 2011. Considering only three players contributed points to last season’s national runner-up effort the hopes are high in Pella, Iowa. Central looks to have a more balanced team heading into the season. Miller — who placed second in the pentaholon and long jump events before winning the high jump — looks to provide the leadership the Dutch will need if they plan on taking the next step in 2012.

Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles

Noting Wisconsin-La Crosse: The Eagles nearly captured their NCAA-best 16th national championship in 2011 but they finished two points back of North Central (Ill.) and had to settle for a third place finish. Wisconsin-La Crosse, which had the second-most All-Americans at last years NCAA Championships with 14, returns a wealth of talent as they look to end their longest drought — only three years — without winning a national title since 2000. David Stilin, Isaac Vazquez and Paul Yerhot all garnered multiple All-American honors last season and all return in 2012 to provide a strong leadership presence for the Eagles.

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			Jan. 27-28 — Ashland, Findlay and Adrian at Findlay Classic
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