Augustana's Yak and Seivert run to All-American finishes on final day of NCAA Championships
Saturday, May 23 2015 - NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field ChampionshipsALLENDALE, Mich. – Augustana's Leah Seivert and Paul Yak were the only Vikings to compete on the final day of the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, both earning All-American honors.
"I was extremely proud of how both Leah and Paul handled the pressure and adversity in today's races," head coach Tracy Hellman said. "Both of them had to dig deep and never give up during their races to earn their All-American finishes."
Seivert collected her second career outdoor All-American honors and finished as the top freshman in both her events this weekend. The Sibley, Iowa native entered the race ranked 14th fighting her way to a new personal-best time of 16:47.23 to take fourth in the women's 5,000-meter run. Seivert closed her freshman campaign earning her fourth All-American accolades, after taking 10th in cross country, seventh in the 5,000-meter during the indoor season, and fourth in the 10k on Thursday.
"For Leah to place with her fourth All-American award as a true freshman really confirms her place as one of Division II top distance runners," Hellman said.
Yak competed in the men's 5,000-meter run, earning his first outdoor All-American finish and third All-American honor in his career at Augustana.
The Storm Lake, Iowa native came into the race ranked 17th in the nation and exceeded his expectations surpassing two runners to take seventh-place with a time of 14:33.77. Yak started in a pack, then found himself in ninth-place with six laps to go. The senior dug deep and was able to pass two runners in the last 100-meters to close out his career for Augustana with an All-American honor in the 5k.
"For Paul to end his storied Augustana career with his best race, is such a fitting end to his legacy here for the Vikings," Hellman said. "He has been one of our all-time bests and he showed that today."
Yak earned two points for the men tying for a 48th-place finish, while the women tied for 26th with 10 points. St. Augustine's ran away with the men's team championship, scoring 53 points. On the women's side, Central Missouri earned 59 points to take the top spot.
"Today's finishes in the men's and women's 5k was a great ending to an outstanding year," Hellman said.
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