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Southern Utah's Cam Levins brings an NCAA National Championship to Cedar City.
What a perfect way to gear up for the London Summer Olympics. SUU Sr Cam Levins used his trademark late kick to cruise into the lead in the final 250 meters and never looked back. Winning the NCAA's 10,000 Meter run in Des Moines Iowa Wednesday night. "I felt like I had the strongest finishing speed. I just wanted to wait around. Everyone else had to build their strategy off my finish" said Levins who blazed around the track in 58.1 over his last lap to take the title. Levins has already qualified for Canada's Olympic team in the 5,000 and 10,000 Meters.
Although he didn't beat his personal best of 27:27.96 (which is the 2nd fastest 10,000 meters time in NCAA history) 28:07.14 was plenty fast enough for Levins not only to claim his 1st NCAA title but also bring back the first National Title for Southern Utah. "That was the big goal for me. I wanted to leave them with that. They gave me the opportunity to run and improve. I am so thankful for that and to give back to them." On his way to the NCAA 10,000 title Levins broke the 32 year old Drake Stadium record for the 10,000 meters.
The finish gave Levins his fourth All-American citation this year after finishing fourth at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships, fourth in the men's 5,000-meters and third in the men's 3,000-meters at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Levin's amazing performance puts Southern Utah University (10) in fourth place in the team standings, trailing Texas (17), Nebraska (13) and LSU with 11 points. There's a good chance Cam will make more good news coming up Friday in Des Moines. That's when he runs in the NCAA 5,000 Meters Championship. He's already put up the fastest 5,000 time in the NCAA this year (13:18.47).
