Butler's Outdoor Track Season Ends At NCAA Meet

June 4, 2002

Junior Mark Tucker officially closed out Butler's 2002 outdoor track and field season with an appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship hosted by Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., on May 29. The Butler distance ace placed 20th in the prelims of the 3,000 meter steeplechase, but didn't advance to the finals.

Tucker, who owned the best 3,000 meter steeplechase effort in the Horizon League this spring with his school-record time of 8:42.50 at the Mt. Sac Relays, slipped behind in the race at the national meet and wound up finishing in 9:05.18. Daniel Lincoln of Arkansas won the heat in 8:36.50 and then went on to win the national title in 8:22.34.

In just his first season at Butler, Tucker posted league-best times in the steeplechase and in the 5,000 meter run (13:58.03). He had the second-best time in the conference in the 1,500 meter run (3:45.80), trailing only teammate Richard Vint (3:45.31).