Alex Short will do what no other man competing for the San Francisco track and field team has done before – compete in the NCAA finals. Short, a native of Bicknacre, England, will toe the line as one of the 16 best athletes in the 5,000 meters at the indoor track of Gilliam Stadium at Texas A&M.
 
The Don will round the track at 6:20 p.m. PT on Friday, March 10, taking on some of the nation's – and the world's – elite runners. Headlining the field is No. 1 qualifier Edward Cheserek. The Kenyan-born distance runner is a 15-time NCAA Champion and 5-time USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Year. He sports seven indoor championship first-place finishes, including two at the 5,000 meter distance.

But past what many are calling a lock for the title, the race to the podium is expected to be hotly contested.

"Alex ran the fastest time in program history at the Husky one month ago to earn himself a spot in the NCAA sweet 16 of the 5,000 meters tomorrow and he is ready to take a run at getting on the podium," explained USF head coach Helen Lehman-Winters. "After the top couple spots, the field is so densely packed.

"If he can lock himself into a solid position and be patient, he has the ability to be very effective in the last 2,000 meters of the race. This venue is phenomenal and he is highly motivated to make the most of the opportunity before him."

Short enters the 5K finale as the USF record-holder in the event after recording a mark of 13:47.57 to advance to the championships field. Short took seventh place in that race, which included Cheserek and NCAA qualifiers Colby Gilbert (Washington), Erik Peterson (Butler), John Dressel (Colorado), Jerrell Mock (Colorado State) and Grant Fisher (Colorado State).

The top eight finishers in the finals will earn All-American status, with the remainder of the field that crosses the finish line picking up second-team recognition. Should Short earn first-team accolades, he will become just the fifth Don with multiple first team All-American selections.

This distinctive list of Legends of the Hilltop currently includes: Bill Russell (men's basketball, 1955-56), Bill Cartwright (men's basketball, 1978-79), Mary Hile (women's basketball, 1980-81), and Staale Soebye (men's soccer, 1993-94).

"I am so happy and excited for Alex to be able to toe the line against the countries best runners this Friday at the NCAA Indoor Championships," added assistant coach Travis Thompson. "I know all his teammates back home who are preparing for their upcoming outdoor competitions are excited for him to represent the Dons at the highest level.

"Alex getting a chance to end his indoor season at the NCAA Championships is the exact thing many of our athletes at home are working so hard to accomplish this outdoor season. The guidance of Coach Wetli and Coach Lehman-Winters leaves everyone within the program no other option but to achieve the highest level of athletic success."

ESPN3 will stream the Championships live on March 10 starting at 3:25 p.m. PT and March 11 starting at 1:55 p.m. PT. A re-air of the championship will take place on Sunday, March 12 starting at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Short's 5,000 meter final is slated for the first day of competition, with the race taking off Friday at 6:20 p.m. PT.
 

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USF Weekend Schedule of Events
Friday, March 10 – NCAA Indoor National Championships (College Station, Texas)
6:20 p.m. – Alex Short – 5,000 meters
 
Saturday, March 11 – Aggie Open (Davis, Calif.)
10:45 a.m. – Mohamed Aziz – 2,000 meter steeplechase
11 a.m. – 4x100 meters (W)
11:05 a.m. – 4x100 meters (M)
11:10 a.m. – Isabelle Brauer, Ashley Moffett, Kelsey Nielsen, Daryl Phill, Emma Stahr – 1,500 meters (W)
11:25 a.m. – Caleb McClain, Cristian Monsalud – 1,500 meters (M)