2008 Woodie Awards
Butzler earns All-American honors with 20th place finish
Rachel Wittrock
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: Sports
Senior Brian Butzler finished 20th out of a field of 280 runners at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Cross Country Championships Saturday, completing the race with a time of 25:06.
Saturday's race was Butzler's second appearance at the NCAA Division III Championship meet. In 2006, he placed 116th out of a field of 279 runners with a time of 28:41.
Butzler's 20th place finish earned him All-American Honors, which are awarded to the first 35 finishers at the national meet.
"When I got done I was happy [with achieving All-American honors], but I wish I had done better and placed higher," Butzler said. "I was a little disappointed [with my place]. I wanted to finish in the top 10, or top five even. I was just uncomfortable for most of the race. My last mile was the strongest."
Platteville's Tyler Sigl captured the national title with a time of 24:24. Sigl also won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Regional meet earlier this year.
"He is a great runner," Butzler said. "He runs strong, fast and smart. He is the top runner and one of the best athletes to come out of Division III."
The national meet was held at St. Olaf College, a familiar course for Butzler. Butzler raced at the St. Olaf course earlier in the year, finishing eighth in the 352-runner field with a time of 25:53.
At the conclusion of the national championships, Butzler's 2007 season wasn't the only thing that ended. As a senior, Saturday's meet marked the end of Butzler's collegiate cross country career.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet," Butzler said. "It feels like I still have another year left; it just doesn't feel over yet."
But while his collegiate career is over, Butzler still plans to continue racing competitively. He plans on doing his best to qualify for the Olympic Trials during the upcoming track season. If he can finish the 1500-meter race in 3:45.63 or better he will be eligible for the Olympic Trials in Oregon.
Butzler also wants to run professionally as part of the Olympic Development Program in Flagstaff, Ariz., next year.
Saturday's race was Butzler's second appearance at the NCAA Division III Championship meet. In 2006, he placed 116th out of a field of 279 runners with a time of 28:41.
Butzler's 20th place finish earned him All-American Honors, which are awarded to the first 35 finishers at the national meet.
"When I got done I was happy [with achieving All-American honors], but I wish I had done better and placed higher," Butzler said. "I was a little disappointed [with my place]. I wanted to finish in the top 10, or top five even. I was just uncomfortable for most of the race. My last mile was the strongest."
Platteville's Tyler Sigl captured the national title with a time of 24:24. Sigl also won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Regional meet earlier this year.
"He is a great runner," Butzler said. "He runs strong, fast and smart. He is the top runner and one of the best athletes to come out of Division III."
The national meet was held at St. Olaf College, a familiar course for Butzler. Butzler raced at the St. Olaf course earlier in the year, finishing eighth in the 352-runner field with a time of 25:53.
At the conclusion of the national championships, Butzler's 2007 season wasn't the only thing that ended. As a senior, Saturday's meet marked the end of Butzler's collegiate cross country career.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet," Butzler said. "It feels like I still have another year left; it just doesn't feel over yet."
But while his collegiate career is over, Butzler still plans to continue racing competitively. He plans on doing his best to qualify for the Olympic Trials during the upcoming track season. If he can finish the 1500-meter race in 3:45.63 or better he will be eligible for the Olympic Trials in Oregon.
Butzler also wants to run professionally as part of the Olympic Development Program in Flagstaff, Ariz., next year.
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