Loeser Places 28th in Steeplechase at NCAA Regional

Friday, May 25

Jacksonville, Fla.

All Day

Wake Forest University

NCAA Championships (Round 1)

Paul Loeser is a native of Winston-Salem and attended Mount Tabor High School.

5/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field

May 25, 2012

By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com (@WFUTrack)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Paul Loeser rounded out the trio of Deacon competitors in the NCAA East Regional on Friday evening by taking 28th overall in the 3,000m steeplechase at North Florida's Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

The senior from Winston-Salem turned in a time of 9:05.91 to place ninth in his heat, but fell just short of advancing to the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career. Ben Torotich of Eastern Kentucky captured the overall victory in the event after crossing the line in 8:37.03.

Loeser wrapped up his stellar Wake Forest career with his best outdoor season to date. He scored his first All-ACC honors at the ACC Outdoor Championships in April after placing third in his signature steeplechase with a time of 9:00.65. In addition, he posted a career-best time in the same event at the Raleigh Relays on March 30 with a blistering time of 8:57.21 en route to a resounding victory.

The track has been only one area of expertise for the senior, however. Loeser was named to the All-ACC Academic Outdoor team in 2009 and 2011, the All-ACC Academic Indoor team in 2012 and the NCAA Division I All-Academic team in 2011. He graduates with a degree in biology and Spanish and has expressed interest in attending medical school for his professional studies.

The Deacons will return to action for the final time this season as Ben Lincoln travels to Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the javelin throw at the NCAA Championships on June 7. The junior advanced to the meet following a 10th-place finish on Thursday afternoon and will be looking to build upon his 21st-place position from 2011.