Matt Hughes Wins National Championship in the 3,000m Steeplechase

Friday, June 11

Eugene, Ore.

All Day

University of Louisville

NCAA Outdoor Championships

Junior Matt Hughes won the National Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Friday with a new school-record time of 8:34.18.

Matt Hughes Wins National Championship in the 3,000m Steeplechase

June 12, 2010 | Men's Track and Field

June 12, 2010

EUGENE, Ore. - Junior Matt Hughes won the 2010 National Championship in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase on day three at the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday in Eugene, Ore.

Hughes, an Oshawa, Ont. native, jumped out to the lead from the start and led the entire race while never looking back as he beat 13 other competitors with a new school record time of 8:34.18. Hughes also won his heat on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the event. His closest competitor, Princeton sophomore Donn Cabral, finished over four seconds behind Hughes to place second in the championship. His championship brings a close to an outstanding outdoor season for Hughes who was named the BIG EAST'S Men's Most Outstanding Track Performer Award following his wins in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and 5,000-meter run at the 2010 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships.

"We are very proud of Matt (Hughes) for his performance and for him winning the national championship" said U of L Head Coach Ron Mann. "Matt has worked so hard and is so deserving of this achievement. It really says a lot about Matt. He and distance coach Brice Allen both have really done a great job all year in preparing for today. This is a great accomplishment for the University of Louisville and our program. We are looking forward to even more success tomorrow with Tone (Belt) and Keisha (Lockhart) in the long jumps. It's a great day to be a Cardinal" said Mann.

Hughes is the Cardinals second national champion this year in track and field after junior D'Ana McCarty won the indoor weight throw back in March. The Cardinals have won five All-America Awards the past three days while achieving the award in every event they have competed in with two still yet to go.

The Cardinals will resume competition Saturday at 9:30 A.M. (PST) in the women's and men's long jump. Senior Tone Belt, the 2007 National Champion in the indoor long jump, will look to close out his legendary career with another national title in the event. Sophomore Charachesicia Lockhart will make her first-ever appearance at the NCAA Championships competing in the women's long jump. Both events begin at 9:30 A.M. (PST).

For the most up-to-date information on Louisville track and field and all of your favorite Cardinal athletes, visit www.uoflsports.com.

NCAA Championships - Eugene, Ore.
U of L Men's Individual Results - Day Three
3,000m Steeplechase-Finals1   Hughes, Matt     $*8:34.18
$ = NCAA National Champion and All-America Honors* = School Record