App State standout

captures victory
From staff reports

EUGENE, Ore.— Finshing the 2009 outdoor season in style, Appalachian State track and field standouts Mason Campbell and Sean Soderman competed at the USATF junior nationals over the weekend in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Teammate Jared Stalling was also in action, competing in the shot put.

Soderman was highly impressive in the steeplechase as he captured the USATF junior national crown with a personal best time of 9:05.82. His performance moves him into fourth on Appalachian’s all-time list in the event. Campbell was also strong, also recording a personal best time of 9:26.63 and finishing seventh overall.

“I just wanted to go out hard and try and stay with the top people,” Soderman, a Charlotte native, said. “This was my fourth time ever running this race, so this was a huge PR, but I knew my fitness was there. I told my coach I thought I could run 9:10, but medaling wasn’t even on my radar.”

Since Soderman finished first in his event he will represent the United States at the junior PanAm Games that will take place in Trinidad, July 30-August 3.

Stalling posted a solid effort but fouled in the shot put.