Experience Gained by NAU Track & Field's Shrader
Experience Gained by NAU Track & Field's Shrader

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Northern Arizona University track & field's Brian Shrader competed on day one of the NCAA Indoor National Championships. Shrader finished 11th in the men's 5000m run with a time of 14:21.11.

"I thought he ran a good race," said director of track & field and cross country Eric Heins. "His experience is rather limited in the 5K but he put himself in the mix to try to challenge for the top-3 and kind of fell off pace through the last mile. He ran a smart race knowing that he has to come back tomorrow and give another hard effort."

In the beginning stages of the race Shrader was in the front pack with the likes of Arizona's Lawi Lalang and the eventual national champion Edward Cheserek of Oregon. As the race progressed the pace picked up with the top time in the event being Cheserek's 13:46.67. 

"I think my inexperience in the 5K at the national championships showed. I was hoping the race played into my hands and went a little bit slower," said Shrader. "Against my race plan it kept getting faster. When two high quality guys like Cheserek and Lalang perform like that its hard to stay up there with them."

The junior came into the event ranked 14th and was able to come away with a three-spot improvement. Shrader will compete in the men's 3000m run tomorrow. He goes into the event ranked seventh overall and will be looking for an improvement in rank much like day one's competition.

Senior Lauren Laszczak will also compete in the women's high jump on the final day of competition. The senior comes in the event ranked ninth with a best height of 6-0 (1.83m).

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