Championship Website

SAN ANGELO, TX – North Georgia College & State University’s Alan Schmitz shined Friday afternoon on the national stage, placing second in the preliminary heat at the 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, advancing to the finals and a chance to race for a National Championship.

Schmitz placed second in the second preliminary heat of the day, finishing the 800-meter race in 1:51.67 to grab the automatic qualifier to the finals. The senior is now one of eight athletes who will compete for the 800-meter NCAA Division II National Championship race Saturday evening at 8:46 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The Warner Robbins, Ga., native will enter the Championship race as the 6th seed, while Michael Wickman of Cal State Chico will claim the top spot in the finale with an automatic qualifying time of 1:50.02 in the opening heat of the day.