Adams State's Medigovich will win the 10,000

OK, so I'm starting with the 10,000, which is the first distance final of the D2 national championships in San Angelo, Tex.

In many ways, this race has the most wide-open field. No one has run a stratospheric time (although Chris Clark of California (Pa.) has a sterling best time), and most of the top contenders are doubling in the 5,000. But, hey, if I'm winning the 10k with eight laps to go, who cares about my second event.

I think Medigovich will take it because he's got the best finishing speed of the bunch. I think.

So, without further ado, the top three:

1. Brian Medigovich (Adams State)
   
2. Chris Clark (California, Pa.)
   
3. Daniel Kirwa (Harding)
   

All-Americans: Marko Cheseto (Alaska-Anchorage); Luke Cragg (Adams State); Amos Sang (Abilene Christian); Jeff Weiss (Slippery Rock); Ben Zywicki (Colorado Mines).

Chebon-Mwei top D2 finisher at Penn; Abilene sweeps 10k

A windy day in Philadelphia put an end to any hopes of a fast pace in the Penn Relays steeplechase.

Arkansas' Scott Macpherson won in a solid, but not spectacular 8:44. Chebon-Mwei dipped under 8:50 at third, besting Abilene Christian's Daniel Maina by about 2 seconds. The pair certainly appear fit (Chebon-Mwei ran sub-14 one week ago), and it's too bad the conditions conspired against them. With conference meets coming up, finals and then all the "last chance" meets before nationals, I'm not sure what opportunities they'll have (this year) to rip another. Maybe in San Angelo?

Here's what I saw in Thursday night's action at Drake and Penn relays:

• Daniel Kirwa (Harding) ran a 29:42 in warm, breezy conditions in Des Moines. Teammate Artek Kern DNF'd in the same event.
  
• Chris Clark (California (Pa.)) nearly won the 5,000 in Philly, finishing with a 13:59. Yet another fine performance for Coach Caulfield's charges. And he joins what is becoming quite a nationals field.
  
• Abilene Christian swept the 10,000 at Franklin Field. Amos Sang (29:34) won, with teammate Cleophas Tanui coming across the line 8 seconds later. Jeff Weiss of Slippery Rock missed the "magical" 30-minute barrier by 14 seconds.
  
• Queens (N.C.) standout Michael Crouch was a notable no-show at Penn. Any ideas why?

Relays begin in earnest at both sites. Unless I read the start lists wrong (and judging by some of the no shows, a lot can and has changed), D2 doesn't have much of a presence in either venue.