Site: Buffalo Stadium, Buffalo, NY
Event: 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championships

Mortimer Advances to Finals in Steeplechase at NCAA Outdoor Championship

Buffalo, NY -- John Mortimer (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry HS) entered the semi-final heat of the 3000-meter steeplechase as one of the favorites to be crowned national champion and his performance proved why.

Mortimer, who finished third in the 3000-m steeplechase at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championship, ran the second fastest time of either semi-final heat while finishing runner-up in his heat with a pace of 8:45.74. Mortimer's time easily qualifies him for the finals which will be held at 7:50 p.m. on Friday evening.

Notes:

-- Mortimer won the Big Ten championship in the 3000-m steeplechase each of the last two years.

-- Mortimer entered the NCAA Outdoor Championship ranked third in the nation in the steeplechase after running a time of 8:36.73 at the Penn Relays on April 23.

1998 NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN'S RESULTS (day one results)

3000-METER STEEPLECHASE
semi-final (heat 1)
1) Davis, Todd (Portland)	8:44.44
2) Mortimer, John (Michigan)	8:45.74

* NCAA Automatic Qualifier

# NCAA Provisional Qualifier

! Michigan record

@ Meet record

^ Field record