BRADENTON, Fla. – The duo of sophomore David Ribich and senior Sam Naffziger highlighted Western Oregon's efforts on Saturday at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships by claiming a pair of All-American honors. Senior Justin Larson wrote the final chapter of the WOU career competing in his fourth consecutive NCAA championship.
 
Ribich – coming off a double All-American effort at the indoor championships in March – claimed his second individual All-American accolade while Naffziger earned his first solo laurel in the 1500m.
 
"I kind of knew what to expect … considering the mile indoors," Ribich said. "I was trying to position myself close to the front, but same as indoors, all those top guys hit an extra gear and started to pull away early."
 
Ribich capped off a spectacular sophomore season for WOU with a fifth-place time of 3:50.76 to lead a trio of Great Northwest Athletic Conference runners in the 1500m final, ahead of Simon Fraser's Marc-Antoine Rouleau.
 
"I looking forward to the next two years to try and chop it down to a higher placed finish," Ribich added.
 
Just behind, Naffziger claimed the final All-American spot on the podium with a time of 3:52.37. The senior had a nearly second and a half advantage over the runner in ninth place.
 
"It was all just really surreal," Naffziger said. "It kind of hit me this morning that I would be done after today. The goal was All-American and getting eighth place is still All-American. It is all just so surreal."
 
Also on Saturday, Larson competed in the javelin finals and placed 13^th with a mark of 60.82m (199-6) in his final collegiate competition.
 
"Well, the day didn't go how I envisioned, but I am able to walk away from this meet and WOU knowing that I gave it my all," Larson said. "After making the national championship four years in a row, I could not be more thankful and blessed for my opportunity at Western."
 
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