April 29, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University junior Pat Sovacool has been named the Mid-American Conference track athlete of the week for his performance this past Friday at the 114th Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Sovacool (Lakewood, Ohio) finished fifth in the 5,000 meters at the historic event, running a 13:56.77 which places him fifth on the all-time performance list at Miami. His time automatically qualifies him for the NCAA Regionals and gives him the best time in the MAC this season.

What makes Sovacool's finish and time even more impressive is the fact that he was spiked in the foot on the race's opening lap, tearing open both his shoe and his foot. He finished the race, bloodied leg and all, among the nation's elite, and with a time that, most years, qualifies for the NCAA Championships.

Sovacool and the rest of the RedHawks will next compete at the Jesse Owens Track Classic at Ohio State University on Friday and Saturday.