Cesar Fernandez Lazaro finished in ninth place in the 5,000-meter run.
Results
MARION, Ind. – Savannah College of Art and Design men’s cross country runner Cesar Fernandez Lazaro finished in ninth place in the finals of the 5,000-meter run Saturday (May 29) evening at the 2010 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University.
Lazaro, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Soria, Spain, set an university record in the event as he finished in ninth with a time of 15:01.48, a nearly nine-second improvement over his semfinal time a day earlier. Wayland Baptist University's Kennedy Kithuka won the race over 15 other runners with a time of 13:56.82.
"Our goal coming into nationals was to make it to the finals," said head coach Michael Sergi. "We agreed that on day two he would have fun and be smart, but aggressive. To be the 11th fastest on day one, finish as ninth fastest on day two, and take nine seconds off of his time is a great day. I'm very proud of him. It was an honor to be here. This is a big step in the history of SCAD cross country and track."
Lazaro, who was named SCAD’s Paul E. Poetter Male Athlete of the Year, was the first SCAD runner – male or female – to qualify for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship in an event.