Brian Knapp, a senior at Lees-McRae finished third in the 800 at the D-II Nationals Saturday. Knapp crossed the line in 1:51.11 in the finals, earning the first All-American status for the Lees-McRae track and field program.
\"This is something I worked so hard for and now it has happened, I am so thankful and gracious for the opportunities I got while at Lees-McRae,\" Knapp said. \"I would have never thought I would be third in the country as a senior in college after leaving high school as the third fastest in the state of South Carolina.\"
Knapp, a former Hilton Head athlete finished fifth in the preliminaries in 1:51.62.
"I think Brian showed not only his teammates and classmates, but the rest of the country, with a little hard work, dedication, sacrificing and goal setting, anything can be accomplished," said Coach Craig McPhail in a Lees-McRae press release.
According to the Lees-McRae website Knapp\'s time of 1:51.11 is his second fastest time ever to the 1:49.92 he ran a month ago at Duke University.
Knapp managed to take the outcome of the race into his on hands by jumping out to the lead with 300 meters to go. In the final 100 he was caught by eventual champion Nick Lara (Adams State) and runner-up Lucky Hadebe (Abilene Christian). Those three individuals made a break from the pack with 200 meters to go and the crowd became quite interested in the runner in all gold from a small school in North Carolina (source: Lees-McRae).
\"This college experience has been so good for me and my family and I am glad I made the decision to come to Lees-McRae,\" Knapp said.
"His achievements have not only made Lees-McRae more recognizable, but have been done in a manner to which all involved would be proud,\" McPhail said.
Knapp is attending Clemson University for graduate school next season.
Knapp, qualified for the 800-meter run at the NCAA D-II Indoor Championships.
Knapp earned his first indoor championship appearance with a win in his last chance meet at Clemson. Knapp ran a 1:53.26 in the 800, winning the race.
\"This is something I worked so hard for and now it has happened, I am so thankful and gracious for the opportunities I got while at Lees-McRae,\" Knapp said. \"I would have never thought I would be third in the country as a senior in college after leaving high school as the third fastest in the state of South Carolina.\"
Knapp, a former Hilton Head athlete finished fifth in the preliminaries in 1:51.62.
"I think Brian showed not only his teammates and classmates, but the rest of the country, with a little hard work, dedication, sacrificing and goal setting, anything can be accomplished," said Coach Craig McPhail in a Lees-McRae press release.
According to the Lees-McRae website Knapp\'s time of 1:51.11 is his second fastest time ever to the 1:49.92 he ran a month ago at Duke University.
Knapp managed to take the outcome of the race into his on hands by jumping out to the lead with 300 meters to go. In the final 100 he was caught by eventual champion Nick Lara (Adams State) and runner-up Lucky Hadebe (Abilene Christian). Those three individuals made a break from the pack with 200 meters to go and the crowd became quite interested in the runner in all gold from a small school in North Carolina (source: Lees-McRae).
\"This college experience has been so good for me and my family and I am glad I made the decision to come to Lees-McRae,\" Knapp said.
"His achievements have not only made Lees-McRae more recognizable, but have been done in a manner to which all involved would be proud,\" McPhail said.
Knapp is attending Clemson University for graduate school next season.
Knapp, qualified for the 800-meter run at the NCAA D-II Indoor Championships.
Knapp earned his first indoor championship appearance with a win in his last chance meet at Clemson. Knapp ran a 1:53.26 in the 800, winning the race.