GREENSBORO, N.C. – Andrey Dmitriev finished 12th in his heat of the 1,500-meters Saturday, ending his season at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, contested in Greensboro, N.C. at North Carolina A&T's Aggie Stadium. The race wrapped up Dmitriev's year, the season for VMI track and field and the 2012-13 VMI athletic year.

Dmitriev, who was making his first career appearance at the preliminary round meet and was bidding for a berth at next month's National Championships, saw his heat develop into a tactical race. After the opening heat was won in a blazing 3:39, the redshirt junior was in fifth coming to the line for the first time. He sat in lane three and was in fourth place after 700 meters, as he split 1:54.06 at that point.

The field remained virtually unchanged at the bell lap, but with 300 meters to go, the field began to string out. Dmitriev was not able to follow the move and would wind up posting a time of 3:54.17 to end his season.

“While today wasn't the result we wanted, Andrey had a very good year,” said VMI head coach Darrin Webb. “To qualify for this meet for the first time, earn two all-Big South honors outdoors and finish third at IC4A's all in the same season is a quality performance.”

Dmitriev not only qualified for this meet for the first time, but posted all-Big South honors in the 800 and 1,500 to go along with his third-place finish in the 1,500 at the IC4A meet. He has one year of eligibility left in both indoor and outdoor track.