Former Olympian Lomong Wins 1500, Qualifies for Worlds

EUGENE, Ore. – Former Lumberjack Lopez Lomong qualified for the 2009 IAAF World Championships by winning the 1,500 meters at the USA Track and Field Championships Sunday. Lomong outran Nike teammate Leo Manzano down the home stretch to win the event in 3:41.68, edging Manzano's 3:41.82. The World Championships are held in Berlin Germany, August 15-23.

“It means so much to me. It is a special thing for the people who support me every day. Great to be here in Eugene, the people are just great here,” said Lomong. “I can't wait to go to Berlin and compete for this great country of ours.”

Lomong represented the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, reaching the semifinals in the 1500m. He was also the flag bearer for the United States in the Opening Ceremonies.

Lomong was a two-time National Champion (1,500m, Outdoors, 2007; 3,000m., Indoors, 2007), five-time All-American, 12-time Big Sky Conference individual champion and holder of five school records at Northern Arizona University. He competed for cross country from 2005-07 and the track and field for the 2006-07 seasons.

Lomong was the first former Northern Arizona student-athlete to compete for the United States.

Rising sophomore Darius Terry finished fourth in the 1500m at the USA Junior Championships held in conjunction with the USA Championships. Former Lumberjack Lysias “Bubba” Edmonds finished sixth in the decathlon at the USA meet.

Photo by Rick Bowmer, Associated Press



2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Men 1500 Meter Run
===============================================================
Finals
1 Lopez Lomong Nike 3:41.68
2 Leonel Manzano Nike 3:41.82
3 Dorian Ulrey Arkansas 3:42.84
4 Stephen Pifer Oregon TC Elite 3:44.21
5 William Leer Oregon TC Elite 3:44.28
6 Craig Miller unattached 3:45.15
7 Andrew Jesien Virginia 3:45.39
8 Christopher Lukezic Reebok 3:45.79
9 Jeff See Ohio State 3:45.87
10 Jordan McNamara Oregon 3:46.08
11 Darren Brown unattached 3:46.41

2009 USA Junior Track and Field Championships
Men 1500 Meter Run
=======================================================================
Section 1 Finals
1 657 Blake Shaw unattached 3:50.75
2 556 Chase Kadlec Iowa 3:54.96
3 700 Joseph Thompson U N C Greensboro 3:50.98
4 694 Darius Terry Northern Ariz 3:51.74
5 454 Stephen Clark Duke 3:53.62
6 492 Travis Fitzke North Dakota St 3:54.27
7 587 Patrick McGregor unattached 3:52.82
8 418 Andrew Bayer Indiana 3:53.08
9 571 Ross Larimar Oklahoma 3:54.98
10 494 Mac Fleet unattached 3:52.60
11 582 Riley Masters Maine 3:50.89
12 651 Matt Schiffbauer Marshall 3:50.95