Lafond finishes 4th in 5,000 meters at NCAA D2 track championships

By UMO Sports Information
Published in Sports on May 26, 2014 1:46 PM

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ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Dylan Lafond earned All-American honors for the fourth time in his career with a fourth-place finish in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA Division II men's track and field championships late Saturday evening.

Teammate Austin Steagall placed 18th.

The top two runners began to pull away, but Lafond closed the gap heading into the bell (final) lap. Adams State's Tabor Stevens made a late kick to finish second behind teammate and eventual national champion Kevin Batt.

Southern Indiana's Johnnie Guy slipped to third and Lafond literally fell to fourth, suffering a fall as he crossed the finish line. Lafond now has two A-A awards each in outdoor and indoor track.

Steagall made his first-ever appearance in the NCAA championship meet. The JUCO transfer helped lead the Trojans to their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II men's cross country championships last fall.