March 19, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - Hamilton's Peter Kosgei, Illinois Wesleyan's Rachel Anderson, Bates College's Noah Gauthier and Washington (Mo.) University's Morgan Leonard-Fleckman all have something in common; they all were named the Division III Indoor National Championship Athletes of the Meet.

Both Kosgei and Anderson were the highest point scorers on the men's and women's side respectively. The two standout athletes also won two national titles each. Gauthier and Leonard-Fleckman also won national titles at the meet.

Hamilton's Kosgei picked up national titles in both the 800-meters and mile events. His time in the 800-meters (1:51.97) was the best time in Division III this season. That race was also run only 90 minutes after his victory in the mile. He crossed the line in 4:11.17 breaking the Ohio Northern University Sports Center record. His 20 points, the only points scored for Hamilton, were good enough for fifth place in the overall team standings.

Rachel Anderson of Illinois Wesleyan also picked up two national titles at the meet. The senior won the 400-meter dash for the third consecutive season setting a new ONU Sports Center record in the process (55.66s). She then ran the anchor leg in a come-from-behind victory in the 4x400 relay, finishing with a time of 3:52.21. She helped lead Illinois Wesleyan to the school's first ever women's national championship.

Noah Gauthier of Bates College won the weight throw at the Division III national meet with a toss of 63 feet, 1 1/2 inches. He becomes only the third Bates male track and field athlete to win the weight throw and the 14th male track athlete for Bates to win a national title. He also earned his third All-American award.

Washington University (Mo.) senior Morgan Leonard-Fleckman won the pole vault competition at the national meet with a personal best jump of 12'8". The jump was a new school record. The ten points by Leonard-Fleckman helped Washington to a third place team finish; the highest ever finish for the women's program.