LA CROSSE, Wis. - Chris Wirtz (Jr.-Weston, Wis./D.C. Everest) set a school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as the UW-Eau Claire men's track and field team continued its preparation for the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships by competing in the UW-La Crosse Last Chance Qualifier tonight.

Wirtz led the Blugolds with a first place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a school-record time of 9:08.23. It just missed an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA Championship by less than a quarter of a second. Brent Kann (Jr.-Rice Lake, Wis.) tied for second in the event with a time of 9:14.09, which was also a championship meet provisional qualifying time.

The Blugolds' 4x400-meter relay team took fifth in the event and picked up a Division III provisional qualifying time of 3:15.09.

In the field events, Sam Johnson (Sr.-Deer Park, Wis./Amery) secured two provisional qualifying marks in the hammer throw and shot put. He finished second in the hammer with a toss of 55.30 meters (181-5) while he took fourth in the shot put with a distance of 15.55 meters (51-0.25).

The Blugolds will be back in action tomorrow when a group travels to Rock Island, Illinois for the Augustana Last Chance meet.

Complete Results

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