Wednesday, June 8, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake junior Jon DeGrave (Lake
Villa, Ill.) earned honorable mention All-American honors in the 400-meter
hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Track And Field Championships at Drake Stadium on
Wednesday.
DeGrave's time of 51.54 did
not earn the heralded junior a spot in the finals of the event, but the fact
that Drake hosts the event next year motivates DeGrave even more.
"This is a huge motivation
for me," DeGrave commented. "Even though I didn't run that well today, this was an awesome
experience. My goal already for
next year is to make it this back to the national semifinals. Luckily, next
year we are hosting and I can use this experience to put down even a better
performance."
DeGrave had a season to remember during the 2011 track
and field campaign, breaking Dan Cleveland's school record in the 400
hurdles from 1983 at the NCAA West Regional with his time of 50.59. He also became the
first Drake athlete since Jason Lehmkuhle in 2000 to qualify for the outdoor
championships.
