May 30, 2009

Tisia Ends Season as Nation's No. One Ranked Freshman in Steeplechase

    Louisville, Ky. -- Youngstown State freshman Kiplangat Tisia wrapped up a spectacular freshman season with a 15th place finish in the 3,000m steeplechase on Saturday at the 2009 NCAA Mideast Regional.

     Tisia led the event after the one mile mark, but could not hold onto the lead and finished with a time of 9:07.63. Tisia's best time of 8:49.25 in the event ranks 21st nationally and was the fastest time by a freshman in the nation.

    In arguably the greatest season by freshman track athlete in YSU history, Tisia broke school records in the indoor 3,000m, 5,000m and distance medley relay as well as the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase during the outdoor circuit. He also earned Horizon League Indoor and Outdoor Running Newcomer of the Year by topping many of Butler's nationally ranked runners.

    Junior Aaron Merrill finished in eighth place with a school-record distance of 17.93m in the shot put. Merrill throw was just three spots shy of  automatically qualifying for nationals in Fayetteville, Ark. With the eighth place finish, Merrill joins former Penguin Bethany Anderson as the highest finisher ever by a YSU student-athlete at the regional. 

    Senior Joe Lahmon finished in 22nd in the hammer throw with a distance of 56.00m. The performance by Lahmon was his final in a stellar career as a Penguin. During his tenure, Lahmon is one of only three throwers in school history to rank in the top 10 in all four throwing events, including holding the school record in the hammer throw. He also has four individual league title to his credit and was named Outstanding Field Performer at the 2007 Horizon League Indoor Championships.