Track & Field | 5/27/2010 8:56:40 PM

[Results]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In a 10k race which started very pedestrian in the first 5k and ended with a torrid pace over the final 5k, Chris Reed was able to capture ninth place at the NCAA Division II National Championships Thursday, May 27, with a time of 30:52.21.

"Chris competed very well," explained Western Oregon head coach Mike Johnson. "It was a very tough race with lots of pace changes."

The junior from Klamath Falls, Ore. (Klamath Union High School), finished three places above his entry spot of No. 12. However, Reed's final time was nearly a minute slower than his entry time of 29:52.39, which was true for most of the 16-man field.

"It was a very tactical race but you expect that at nationals," Johnson continued. "It was a well run race but the field was nearly a minute slower than their entry times."

Reed finished just one place out off of All-American status, as the top eight at nationals earn that honor.

Reed did finish ahead of two of the three other runners in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Reed will have another chance to run at nationals, as he will compete in the preliminaries of the 5k tomorrow (May 28) at 5:35 p.m. (PST).

Ashley Potter will also be in competition tomorrow in the triple jump beginning at 2:15 p.m. (PST). The Wolves' four javelin throwers will all compete at nationals Saturday morning starting at 7:00 a.m. (PST).