Title:

Champions aim to extend title runs

Subheadline: Preview: Texas A&M hopes to collect its fourth consecutive title

Byline:

NCAA.com

Updated date:

Last Updated - March 31, 2012 5:22 GMT

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DIVISION I

Joe Kovacs
Penn State
Senior

Key Notes:
• Posted a clutch effort of 62-6.50, finished third in the shot put at the NCAA Championships
• Finished tied for the second-highest outdoor finish in the event (shot put) in school history
• Placed second at the Big Ten Championship in 2011

Pretzel Hardy JR
Texas A&M
Sophomore

Key Notes:
• Placed eighth in the 100 at the NCAA Championships (10.40) in 2011
• Earned a pair of bronze medals at the 2011 Big 12 Championships in the 100 (10.44) and 200 (20.86)
• Ran anchor leg of the 4 x 100 relay that won the Big 12 title (39.04) and earned a silver medal at the NCAA Championships (38.91)

Gary Horn
Florida
Senior

Key Notes:
• Three-time All-American, four-time SEC Champion (decathlon)
•First person in Florida history to win a Southeastern Conference decathlon title
• Captured fifth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a career-best and school record 7,914 points

Luke Puskedra
Oregon
Senior

Key Notes:
• Ten-time All-American
• Had best career showing at the NCAA Championships where he ran a personal-best 28:33.47 to finish sixth in the 10,000 meters.
• Advanced in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA West Preliminary meet where he placed 11th in 29:19.68 in the national semifinals.

Andrew Riley
Illinois
Senior

Key Notes:
• Two-time NCAA Champion (110m Hurdles – 2010 & 60m Hurdles – 2011)
• Seven-time All-American (60m Hurdles – 3x, 110m Hurdles – 3x, 4x100m relay)
• Holds four school records (60m, 60m hurdles, 110m hurdles, 4x100m relay)

DIVISION II

Tyler Emmorey
Grand Valley State
Senior

Key Notes:
• Won the GLIAC title in the 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 8:58.86
• Placed second at GLIACs in the 5,000m with a time of 14:33.77
• Placed sixth at the NCAA Championships in the 3000m steeplechase with a school record time of 8:55.42.

Andrew Etheridge
Emporia State Sophomore

Key Notes:
• Won the National Championship in 110m hurdles, ran a 14.02 which is the second best 110m hurdles time in ESU history
• Finished second at the MIAA Championships in the 110m hurdles Championships
• Was a member of the All-American 4×100 relay team which also placed second at the at MIAA Championships

Drew Graham
Adams State
Senior

Key Notes:
• Won NCAA Champion in 1500 meters
• First-Team All-RMAC in the 1500 meters and the 800 meters.
• Named 2011 All-American in the 1500 meters and the 800 meters.

Nick Jones
Abilene Christian
Junior

Key Notes:
• Named 2011 USTFCCCC Field Player of the Year
• Two-time National champion in discus throw (2008 and 2009)
• Three-time LCS champion in discus (2008 and 2009) and shot put (2009)

Karl McFarlane
Chardon State Junior

Key Notes:
• Set the school records in both the 60-meter highs of 7.94 and 14.17 in the 110 highs at last year’s national meets, when he placed fifth
• Ran on the Eagles’ winning 4×100 relay at the RMAC meet each of the past two years (2011, 2010)

Division III

Daniel Benton
North Central (Ill.) Senior

Key Notes:
• Established new North Central record in 400 with time of 46.84 in winning individual national title at NCAA Championships
• Ran on school record-setting 4×400 relay team (3:10.66) at Drake Relays
• Outdoor Champion in 400

Daniel Drewek
Wisconsin-Stout
Senior

Key Notes:
• Placed third at the pole vault NCAA Championship (16’11″)
• Competed pole vault (17’0.75″) and decathlon (6378 points) in 2011
•Was named an All-American in pole vault in 2011

Jalen Law
Buffalo State Sophmore

Key Notes:
• Ran on the first place Buffalo State 4x100m at the SUNYAC Championships
• Finished fourth in the 100 meter and finished second at the 200 meter in the SUNYAC Championships
• Was named an All-American in 2011

Mitch Supan
Baldwin Wallace Junior

Key Notes:
• Posted aseason-best and provisionally qualified for the 2011 NCAA Championships in the shot put (53′ 6.25″) along with a season and team best in the discus with a mark of (174′ .08″)
• Finished fourth at the NCAA Championship
• Two time All-American

Matt Turlip
NYU
Senior

Key Notes:
• Finished sixth in the 1,500m (3:55.94) at the NCAA Championships
• Won the 1,500m (3:25.71) and took second in the 5,000m (15:16.68) at the UAA Championships
• Won the 800m with a season-best time (1:54.55) at the TCNJ Lions Invitational

Division I
Texas A&M Aggies Noting Texas A&M: The three-time defending national champions will look to extend their national championship streak to four in 2012. The Aggies are returning four All-Americans this season, including Wayne Davis. Davis finished in sixth place at the NCAA Championship in the 110-meter hurdle event. Also returning is Michael Preble — who set a personal best of 1:47.71 in winning the 800-meter at the Big 12 Championships. Preble advanced to the 800-meter NCAA semifinals in 2011. Look for Pretzel Hardy Jr. to be the catalyst for the Aggies, Hardy Jr. was the anchor of the 4 x 100 relay that won the Big 12 title and finished second at the NCAA Championships Florida State Seminoles Noting Florida State: The Seminoles came up just short at last year’s NCAA Championships as Florida State finished in second place, only one point back of national champion Texas A&M. The Seminoles haven’t won a NCAA Championship in four years and look to break that streak this season. If Florida State hopes to contend for a NCAA Championship, they will do so without Ngonidzashe Makusha. Makusha broke the national collegiate record in the 100 meters at the 2011 national meet to lead the Seminoles to a second-place finish. The good news is that Florida State is returning three All-Americans including Maurice Mitchell. Mitchell finished in first place in the 200 meters at the National Championship. Arkansas Razorbacks Noting Arkansas: The Razorbacks finished in 10th place at last year’s NCAA Championships. Arkansas looks to improve on that mark by returning seven of eight All-Americans this season, including Tarik Batchelor. Batchelor finished in seventh-place leap of 26-0.75 in the long jump at the NCAA Championship. Look for Ben Skidmore to help pick up the slack for the Razorbacks. Skidmore a five-time All-American in the 400 meters, looks to help lead the Razorbacks to to their first national title since 2005.

Division I

Texas A&M Aggies

Noting Texas A&M: The three-time defending national champions will look to extend their national championship streak to four in 2012. The Aggies are returning four All-Americans this season, including Wayne Davis. Davis finished in sixth place at the NCAA Championship in the 110-meter hurdle event. Also returning is Michael Preble — who set a personal best of 1:47.71 in winning the 800-meter at the Big 12 Championships. Preble advanced to the 800-meter NCAA semifinals in 2011. Look for Pretzel Hardy Jr. to be the catalyst for the Aggies, Hardy Jr. was the anchor of the 4 x 100 relay that won the Big 12 title and finished second at the NCAA Championships

Florida State Seminoles

Noting Florida State: The Seminoles came up just short at last year’s NCAA Championships as Florida State finished in second place, only one point back of national champion Texas A&M. The Seminoles haven’t won a NCAA Championship in four years and look to break that streak this season. If Florida State hopes to contend for a NCAA Championship, they will do so without Ngonidzashe Makusha. Makusha broke the national collegiate record in the 100 meters at the 2011 national meet to lead the Seminoles to a second-place finish. The good news is that Florida State is returning three All-Americans including Maurice Mitchell. Mitchell finished in first place in the 200 meters at the National Championship.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Noting Arkansas: The Razorbacks finished in 10th place at last year’s NCAA Championships. Arkansas looks to improve on that mark by returning seven of eight All-Americans this season, including Tarik Batchelor. Batchelor finished in seventh-place leap of 26-0.75 in the long jump at the NCAA Championship. Look for Ben Skidmore to help pick up the slack for the Razorbacks. Skidmore a five-time All-American in the 400 meters, looks to help lead the Razorbacks to to their first national title since 2005.

DIVISION II
Abilene Christian Wildcats Noting Abilene Christian: Abilene Christian captured its 12th national championship in the last 16 yeas. The Wildcats’ are lead by 2011 USTFCCCC Field player of the year Nick Jones. Jones is a two-time NCAA champion in discus and hope to lead the Wildcats to their second consecutive national championship. The Wildcats will return three All-Americans including Paris Robertson and Jordan Geary who were both members of the 4 x 100 relay that finished in first place at the LCS championship and second place at the 2011 NCAA championship. Adams State Grizzlies Noting Adams State: One year after placing second at the 2011 NCAA Championships, the Adams State Grizzlies are back and aiming higher than ever. Last year’s runner-up finish was the second time the Grizzlies finished second and look to take the next step and push through to a NCAA championship. The Grizzlies are returning four All-Americans including Drew Graham. Graham looks to be the spark to lead Adams State, after he won the 1,500 meters at the NCAA championship in 2011. Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers Noting Lincoln: The Blue Tigers had a strong showing in 2011 and finished in third place at the NCAA championship. Lincoln (Mo.) will return six All-Americans including Mandela Clifford, Ravel Grey and Terrel Cotton. Those three were members of the 4 x 100 relay that finished in first place at the 2011 NCAA championship.

DIVISION II

Abilene Christian Wildcats

Noting Abilene Christian: Abilene Christian captured its 12th national championship in the last 16 yeas. The Wildcats’ are lead by 2011 USTFCCCC Field player of the year Nick Jones. Jones is a two-time NCAA champion in discus and hope to lead the Wildcats to their second consecutive national championship. The Wildcats will return three All-Americans including Paris Robertson and Jordan Geary who were both members of the 4 x 100 relay that finished in first place at the LCS championship and second place at the 2011 NCAA championship.

Adams State Grizzlies

Noting Adams State: One year after placing second at the 2011 NCAA Championships, the Adams State Grizzlies are back and aiming higher than ever. Last year’s runner-up finish was the second time the Grizzlies finished second and look to take the next step and push through to a NCAA championship. The Grizzlies are returning four All-Americans including Drew Graham. Graham looks to be the spark to lead Adams State, after he won the 1,500 meters at the NCAA championship in 2011.

Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers

Noting Lincoln: The Blue Tigers had a strong showing in 2011 and finished in third place at the NCAA championship. Lincoln (Mo.) will return six All-Americans including Mandela Clifford, Ravel Grey and Terrel Cotton. Those three were members of the 4 x 100 relay that finished in first place at the 2011 NCAA championship.

DIVISION III
North Central (Ill.) Cardinals Noting North Central: The Cardinals took home their second consecutive national title in 2011, they also look to be a strong contender in 2012. North Central is returning seven of eight All-Americans this season, including John Wood. Wood finished sixth in the pole vault at the NCAA championships with outdoor personal-best height of 16’7 1/4″. Daniel Benton also returns for the Cardinals who set a new North Central record in 400 meters with time of 46.84 and won the event at the NCAA championships in 2011. Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles Noting Wisconsin-La Crosse: The Eagles nearly captured their 12th national championship in 2011 but they finished runner-up to North Central (Ill.). The Eagles are returning seven All-Americans and look to make the leap to national champions this season. Troy Brooks and Jared Sitte will now take the reigns of the 4 x 100 relay team. Andy Novak looks to improve on his second-place finish at the shot put with a 17.51 meter throw. McMurry War Hawks Noting McMurry: The War Hawks had an impressive showing in 2011 finishing third at the national championships. McMurry has five All-Americans returning this season and hope to win its second NCAA title. The War Hawks are led by Kevin Cunningham — Cunningham won the 400-meter hurdle and was a member of the winning 4 X 100 relay team at the NCAA championship.

DIVISION III

North Central (Ill.) Cardinals

Noting North Central: The Cardinals took home their second consecutive national title in 2011, they also look to be a strong contender in 2012. North Central is returning seven of eight All-Americans this season, including John Wood. Wood finished sixth in the pole vault at the NCAA championships with outdoor personal-best height of 16’7 1/4″. Daniel Benton also returns for the Cardinals who set a new North Central record in 400 meters with time of 46.84 and won the event at the NCAA championships in 2011.

Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles

Noting Wisconsin-La Crosse: The Eagles nearly captured their 12th national championship in 2011 but they finished runner-up to North Central (Ill.). The Eagles are returning seven All-Americans and look to make the leap to national champions this season. Troy Brooks and Jared Sitte will now take the reigns of the 4 x 100 relay team. Andy Novak looks to improve on his second-place finish at the shot put with a 17.51 meter throw.

McMurry War Hawks

Noting McMurry: The War Hawks had an impressive showing in 2011 finishing third at the national championships. McMurry has five All-Americans returning this season and hope to win its second NCAA title. The War Hawks are led by Kevin Cunningham — Cunningham won the 400-meter hurdle and was a member of the winning 4 X 100 relay team at the NCAA championship.

Top Events
			April 7 – Florida, Florida State and Virginia tech at Florida Relay
			April 7 – Illinois, LSU and Penn State at LSU invitational
			April 22– Adams State, Mesa State and Western State at Western State Open
			April 27 – Chardon State, Colorado Mines and Metro State at Golden, Colo.
			April 28 – Abeline Christian (DII), Penn State and Texas A&M at Penn Relays
			April 28 – Drake (DI), North Central (Ill.) and Wisconsin-La Crosse at Drake Relays
			May 18 – Concorida (Wisc.), North Central (Ill.) and Wisconsin-Whitewater. at Gregory Multievent