McNeill Claims Second 5K National Title

EUGENE, Ore. - In front of over 12,000 spectators at Historic Hayward Field, Northern Arizona's David McNeill successfully defended his 5,000-meter title when he held off Liberty's Sam Chelenga to finish in a time of 13:44.81, claiming his second national championship this season.

"I had to just go for it with a lap to go," McNeill said about the final 400 meters of the race. "I got to 200 to go and I started tiring up, but I really wanted to win, so I just fought through it. I saw Sam Chelenga on my tail that last 150 and just gritted my teeth to try and hold on. I was just happy to see that I was the first one to get over the finish line."

McNeill led off and on throughout the race, but as he crossed the stripe for the bell lap, the Australia native took off from Chelenga and Chris Derrick of Stanford. Chelenga would close the gap down the backstretch, but McNeill's lead was too much for him to overcome.

This was the third battle that McNeill and Chelenga have taken part in this year. The junior from Liberty captured the cross country national title in November, but McNeill has gotten the best of him since then, winning both 5K titles on the track.

"I enjoyed it a lot," Chelenga said about the race. "It was exciting chasing after him."

Chelenga described the races the two have taken part in as "fun," and McNeill feels the same way.

"If it's not fun then it's hard to do," McNeill said. "That is why I keep coming back for more and chasing faster times. You are reminded of that when you come to places like this."

Interim Director of Track and Field & Cross Country Eric Heins could not be more pleased with how the race unfolded.

"With the way David's training had been going and where he was at this time of year, I thought a moderate paced race would work well for him since he has the best closing speed out of anyone there," Heins said. "When it slowed down a little bit, it was nice to see David lead some good laps. The way the race played out was perfect for David to win his second national title."

McNeill joins former Lumberjacks Lopez Lomong, Ida Nilsson and Johanna Nilsson as members of the track and field program to win multiple national titles. This is also the 12th individual championship in school history.

Senior Javier Villarreal closed out his NAU career Saturday morning as well, placing 15th in the men's shot put with a toss of 57 feet, 9.5 inches. Villarreal concludes his career with five Big Sky shot put titles to his name and the indoor shot put record at 61 feet, 10.5 inches.

"I had a lot of mixed feelings about today," Villarreal said. "Having my family there and it being my last collegiate meet was special. After the warmup I felt as prepared as I would ever be. I just came up short from where I really wanted to be at the end. I can leave my career at NAU knowing that I gave it my all."