March 9, 2002

Fayetteville, Ark. - Notre Dame senior Luke Watson placed third today in the 3,000 meters, while senior Ryan Shay was 18th at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Watson finished the race in 8:02.18. Villanova's Adrian Blincoe was first in 8:01.76, followed by Northern Iowa's Balazs Csillag in 8:01.93 and Watson. For his efforts tonight, Watson earned All-America honors for the second time in his career. A senior from Stillwater, Minn., Watson was also an All-American in the distance medley relay in 2000.

Watson's third-place finish also marks the highest result for a Notre Dame track and field athlete at the NCAA Indoor Championships since Raghib "Rocket" Ismail finished second in the 55 meters in 1991.

Fellow Irish senior Ryan Shay, who placed seventh in the 5,000 meters yesterday earning his ninth All-America award becoming Notre Dame's most decorated track and field athlete, finished in a time of 8:18.75.

As a team, Notre Dame finished the meet tied for 21st place with nine points.