Steinbrunner and Smith garner All-American status at 2012 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships
By: Jose Nogueras
GRINNELL, Iowa — Senior Dan Smith and junior Alison Steinbrunner both collected All-American honors to cap off a big day for Ohio Northern track & field on the day 2 of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Grinnell.
Steinbrunner captured fourth place in the 5,000 run with a time of 17.14.34. Wartburg's Laura Sigmond took first place in the event with a time of 17.01.82.
This is Steinbrunner's second straight appearance at the NCAA indoor championships in the 5,000. She automatically qualified this year at the GVSU Big Meet finishing in 17:14.92. She also repeated as OAC champion in the event in 17:43.46.
ONU head coach Jason Maus praised the efforts of the junior standout and her ability to fend off the stiff competition at the end to snare All-American honors.
"Alison's race was pretty tactical and well run," Maus said. "She handled all the moves and then made a move at the end to take fourth."
Smith, who stayed near the front of the pack throughout the highly contested race, finished fifth in the mile run with a mark of 4.11.56. Taking first in the event was Wabash's Danny McCarthy with first place time of 4:08.63.
Smith earned a spot in the mile in mid-February at the Grand Valley State Big Meet, finishing in 4:11.61. This was his first appearance at the NCAA championships.
Smith continued a successful senior campaign. In cross country, Smith earned All-Region honors with a 21st place finish, leading Ohio Northern to a 10th place finish at the 2011 NCAA Division III Great Lakes Men's Cross Country Regional Championships at Oberlin.
"Dan's race was just textbook tactically and he handled it perfectly," Maus said. "To be a first time guy at the national meet and perform as well as he did is incredible. He had a great day and a great race."
Maus added that not only was the final day a successful one for the Polar Bears, but the two days were highly competitive for the Polar Bears.
On day one, senior Jacob Schwab finished 10th overall in the prelims of the men's 400 dash at 49.59. Senior Aubrie Stechschulte finished 13th in pole vault clearing 11-3.75.
"The athletes here represented ONU very well," Maus said. "We competed hard. We were pretty close to season bests and PRs all the way around and ONU did very well at the national meet."
