EUGENE, Ore. ? Donnie Cowart's storybook season came to an end Thursday night, as the VMI distance runner placed 11th in his heat of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the US Track and Field Championships, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Cowart, who had qualified for this event on the strength of an 8:44.36 time at the NCAA Championships, started slowly as been his custom. He was able to move up to 7th in the middle stages of the race, but NCAA champion Kyle Perry of BYU led an eventual five-runner breakaway with three laps remaining, and Cowart completed the distance in a time of 9:01.78 to conclude his collegiate career.
“Donnie
had a fantastic year and a great career,” offered VMI cross country coach Paul
Spangler. “This was an unbelievable chance for him to be here at the US
Championships, and it will be invaluable as he pursues his post-collegiate
running career, and I expect to see him back here, and at the Olympic Trials,
in the years to come.”
“Donnie had a great season in both the indoor and outdoor campaigns,” said VMI head coach Darrin Webb. “Competing at the US Championships is a great way to finish out his collegiate career. I am very proud of the accomplishments Donnie has had this year, and of the positive impact he has had on our program and on VMI as a whole. He has been a great leader on and off the track, and has earned and deserves all the successes he has enjoyed this past year. I would also like to thank those who have supported us, as their encouragement and support this past month, for Donnie and our program has been completely unbelievable. To each of them, I say thank you.”
Cowart's final collegiate season was one to remember. The outdoor campaign was marked by his steeplechase efforts, and headlined by his All-American honor at the NCAA Championships, where he placed 12th overall and set a new VMI record in the event. He also was the steeplechase champion at the Big South Championships, where he finished third in the 800-meters, second in the 1,500, and sixth in the meet-ending 5,000-meter run. He also had a strong indoor season, including being named the Track Performer of the Meet at the Big South Indoor Championships and setting a new VMI record in the mile run. Finally, Cowart shared the Big South Track and Field Athlete of the Year honor with Liberty's Sam Chelanga, as announced June 19 by the league office.
