Dickinson's Pecora Wins National Title in Steeplechase

courtesy of Dickinson College

In a dominant performance, senior Kent Pecora (Chapel Hill, N.C. / Chapel Hill) won the Division III national championship in the 3000 meter steeplechase. His Centennial Conference and school record time of 8:51.85 is the eighth fastest in Division III history.

Late in the race, Pecora encountered a bit of drama as a competitor bumped him into the rail. Ten meters later though, Pecora regrouped and threw in a surge that broke the field with just under 600 meters to go. His last lap and a half was run in under 1:40, and his last 400 was timed between 62 and 63 seconds.

Former Red Devils Caitlin Bradley and Denise Shotwell previously captured national titles in track & field. Pecora becomes the first Dickinson male athlete in any sport to win an NCAA National Championship.

Pecora bested the 19-man field to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase after failing to meet the national qualifying standard one season ago. "It's unbelievable really," said Pecora of his ascent to the championship. "Last year I was in the stands watching the steeplechase and that's really what motivated me this entire year to give it everything I could."

Pecora followed up his national title an 11th place finish in the 5,000 meters on Saturday afternoon. He crossed the line in 15:01.98 in his second event of the weekend.

NCAA Video Highlights (begins at 4:06)

Centennial Conference National Champions (9)

1995-Karl Paranya, Haverford, 1500
1996-Karl Paranya, Haverford, 1500
1996-Carl Von Tobel, McDaniel, Javelin
1997-Karl Paranya, Haverford, 800 and 1500
2002-J.B. Haglund, Haverford, 5000 and 10,000
2004-Broderick Maybank, McDaniel, Long Jump
2011-Kent Pecora, Dickinson, Steeplechase