Ches wins 17th NCAA Title

EDWARD CHESEREK WON THE 3,000 METERS FOR HIS 17TH NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP TO ADD TO HIS ALL-TIME RECORD, AND THE MEN OF OREGON FINISHED THIRD AT THE NCAA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Edward Cheserek won his 17th-career national championship a day after becoming the all-time leader in NCAA history, leading the Men of Oregon to a third-place finish on Saturday at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Gilliam Indoor Stadium.

"I don't even know what to say about Edward," head coach Robert Johnson said. "There are so many words that we could use for him, and over the four years, I think we've exhausted them all. What he's done is just amazing, and we're incredibly proud of him."

How it Happened: Cheserek added to his historic title total in the 3,000 meters, out-kicking Syracuse's Justyn Knight in the final stretch to win his third-career 3,000-meter title indoors. Cheserek ran his all-time-leading natty total to 17, and won his ninth-career indoor championship to wrap up his indoor career.

"It means a lot," Cheserek said. "I still have a couple of times (outdoors) to add more, but for now, I'm happy to celebrate with my teammates and my coach and family. I'm so proud of myself."

Earlier in the day, Cheserek took second in the mile to add eight points to the team total for the Men of Oregon. New Mexico freshman Josh Kerr ran an inspiring race in 4:03.22 to beat the collegiate-record holder in Cheserek, who came across in 4:05.42 before bouncing back to win the 3K in impressive fashion.

"I want to take my hat off to Edward," Johnson said. "He could have sat back and not wanted to come out and run that 3K, because he didn't have to and had done more than enough already, but that just shows the true competitor that he is and the true team guy he is.

"It didn't affect me at all (in the 3,000)," Cheserek said of the mile. "You have to be a sportsman. Sportsmen always know how to compete in championships."

Cheserek scored 28 points on the weekend, breaking the individual record for an NCAA Indoor Championship meet, and became the all-time leading point-scorer in the history of the NCAA Indoor Championships. Cheserek broke the single-meet point record of 22.5 points that he tied last season.

Senior Kyree King put three points on the board for the Ducks in the 60 meters, taking sixth in 6.63 seconds in his indoor finale.

Sophomore Maton ran both the mile and the 3,000 meters with Cheserek, and just missed scoring for the Ducks in the mile with a ninth-place finish in 4:08.88.

In the heptathlon, senior Mitch Modin closed out his indoor career with an 11th-place finish with 5,527 points.

The Men of Oregon finished in third in the team standings with 38 points. Host Texas A&M won the men's team title with 46 points, edging out Florida (45.5).

Oregon distance star Edward Cheserek added to his record for NCAA titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track by holding off Justyn Knight of Syracuse to win the men's 3,000 with a time of 7 minutes, 55.91 seconds. He has 17.

Cheserek, who owns the collegiate record in the mile, got jumped in Saturday's mile final by by New Mexico freshman Josh Kerr, who kicked to victory in 4:03.22 seconds. Cheserek came in second in 4:05.42.

Texas A&M clinched a thrilling battle for the men's team title by winning the meet's final event, the 4x400 relay, in 3:02.80. Florida was second in 3:03.52.

The Aggies collected the team title with 46 points. Florida was second with 45.5. Oregon took third with 38.