May 31, 2002

University of Notre Dame men's track and field standout Luke Watson earned the fifth All-America honor of his career on Friday evening at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Baton Rouge, La. Watson finished seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:39.12), as Daniel Lincoln from Arkansas won the event in 8:22.34.

Watson was making his second appearance in the national steeplechase competition, as the Irish senior entered the 2000 event but did not place. His All-America finish from Friday gives him five awards for his career (two in cross country, one on the indoor distance medley relay team in 2000, one from the indoor 5,000 meters this season) and he has the opportunity to add another in tomorrow's 5,000 meters. Watson will be running with teammate Ryan Shay, who finished second in the 10,000 meters on Thursday at the NCAA meet, at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday.

Watson's All-America honor is the third for the Irish men's and women's track and field teams at this season's outdoor championship. Shay's second-place effort handed him his 10th career All-America accolade, while junior Tameisha King grabbed her second award with a seventh-place finish in the long jump on Thursday.

There is still more to come for both Irish teams. The 4x400 relay team, freshman Lauren King (1,500 meters), Watson and Shay are all strong contenders for All-America honors on Saturday in their respective races.