Milligan College Buffaloes

Edwardsville, Ill. (May 22, 2009) --- Milligan College freshman All-American Austin Ellis (Charlottesville, Va.) raced his way into the finals at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships Friday on the campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Ellis finished the men’s 5000 meters semi-finals with a time of 15:02.14 which was good enough to find him a spot in the finals on Saturday. Ellis’s time broke the previous school record of 15:03.94 held by former All-American Chris Wright.

“It is definitely not easy to prepare for three different national championship appearances in your first collegiate season,” commented Head Coach Chris Layne. “I am extremely proud of what this young man has accomplished in his first year.”

The Buffs open up the final day of competition with seniors Will Frye (Pulaski, Va.), Wegene Degefa (Rochester, N.Y.) and Emily Schmitt (Avon, Ind.) running in the marathon. The marathon is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

In the afternoon, the Buffs have senior Jacklyn Talbert (Mt. Carmel, Tenn.) racing in the finals for the women’s 1500 meters, and Ellis competing in the finals for the men’s 5000 meters. The finals for the women’s 1500 meters is scheduled for 3 p.m., while the finals for the men’s 5000 meters is scheduled to begin at 5:35 p.m.

For official results of the 2009 Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, visit www.cfpitiming.com.