WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Matthew McClintock is headed to the NCAA Championships for the third time in his career. The junior will wrap up the season on Saturday at the highest stage with the men's 10,000-meter race, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET.
"I think if Matt does what he has been doing all season, he will be very happy with his performance," assistant coach Jeff Kent said. "We're definitely looking to go back and earn another All-America performance. He is very confident and fit and we're excited to see how the race plays out."
McClintock will look to better his performance from a year ago when he ran a time of 30:44.2 to take 37th and earn All-America honors. The junior qualified for the championships after taking third place at the Great Lakes Regionals last weekend in Wisconsin. McClintock has paced the Boilermakers all season, and also had a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, hosted by Iowa.
"I would love to be top 10 or top 15 this weekend," McClintock said. "I'm hoping to use my experience, knowing how fast this race gets out, and get into the lead pack through the first 400 meters. Hopefully my endurance will help me stick in the top 15 or 20 and then stay there for the race. If I can do that, I will be happy."
McClintock will be running with the nation's best, including several harriers he has faced all season long. He has run against Indiana State's John Mascari and Wisconsin's and Malachy Schrobilgen, both of whom he faced multiple times this season, and will do so again on Saturday. McClintock is one of three Big Ten runners who qualified for the championships as an individual, while four conference teams advanced.
Results and quotes will be posted to PurdueSports.com following the race.