Barclay qualified for his first National in the 3000 meter steeple chase. This race is almost two miles in length and has various barriers to hurdle over each lap and also has a water hazard after one of the barriers to go through after the jump. Barclay was one of 16 competitors that had to run a preliminary race on Thursday to determine the field of 12 that would run in the final on Saturday. Barclay made the final and then ran a strong race to finish 7th for his All-American status. Barclay finished the race with a time of 9:11.56. The race was won by Daniel Maina of Abilene Christian.
Wilson won his fourth consecutive National Championship in the pole vault. He previously won the 2007 indoor, 2007 outdoor, and the 2008 indoor National Championships. He has competed in three indoor seasons and three outdoor seasons and has earned All -American status all six times and been crowned National Champion four times. At this National, he cleared 5.18 meters (17') to win the meet, defeating Dan Tierney of Ashland who also cleared 5.18 meters, but had more misses. Wilson has a personal best of 5.33 meters (17' 5.5”).
Wilson and Barclay together scored 12 of GVSU's 30 points to help lead the Lakers to their best ever Outdoor National finish of 6th place. The men's first place team was Abilene Christian of Texas.
Also attending this event was another Hale resident, Navy Sea Bee Command Master Chief Daryl Johnson, stationed at Port Wanamie California. Johnson Drove 2 hours to watch and support the two Hale Competitors! Johnson has been in California for months now, and has been on several tours of Duty overseas including Iraq! He recently was promoted to the rank of Command Master Chief. Both Wilson and Barclay were surprised to see him there and very appreciative of his effort to come so far to see them, They were honored he attended!
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