Track & Field | 3/14/2015 5:40:00 PM

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Junior Badane Sultessa became the third NCAA Division II Indoor All-American in Western Oregon University's Track & Field history when he finished fourth overall in the 800 meter run in a time of 1:51.36 Saturday inside the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Sultessa, who entered the finals as the top ranked runner, finished a mere 1.12 seconds behind national champion Drew Windle of Ashland. In the process, Sultessa came within 0.66 seconds of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) record that he set during Friday's prelimaries which was also Sultessa's lifetime best time in the event.

"Badane ran a great, intellegent race," said Head Coach Mike Johnson. "He has great room for growth and development."

Sultessa joins former Wolves Zeke Van Patten and Chris Olsen, who also earned NCAA Division II All-American honors in the 800 meter run in 2009 and 2013, respectively.

Along with Sultessa, junior Stephanie Stuckey also competed in the finals of the women's one mile run finishing ninth overall with a time of 5:00.85.

Western Oregon will now turns its attention to the outdoor season, which has already started with the Wolves competing at the Willamette Opener on March 7 and the Saints Open all day today.