Texas Tech Distance Runner Leigh Daniel Wins National Championship
June 21, 1999 | Indoor Track
March 5, 1999
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Texas Tech women's track and field distance runner Leigh Daniel (Lubbock, Texas / Monterey HS) has won the national championship in the 5,000 meters today at the NCAA indoor national championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is Texas Tech's first ever individual national champion. Her title is the second national championship ever won in athletics at the university. Daniel's time of 16:01.11 sets a new school record by breaking her previous record time of 16:15.29 earlier this season.
"I went into the race just wanting to get All-America honors," Daniel said. "It is my first time at indoor championships. My plan was to stick with the top half of the group during the race. I wanted to sit back and see what I could do. I decided to wait until the last three laps to kick, and I was able to get ahead and win. I just felt really good out there today. I think my further experience in the sport and new distance coach really made the difference to bring me to this point."
"Everytime someone tried to pass her, she put forth the effort to top it," distance coach Dave Smith said. "She is the toughest distance runner I have ever seen - Leigh's tenacious."
"About a mile into the race she looked great, and I had a feeling she could win it," Director of Track and Field Greg Sholars said. "She was in a class by herself today. Leigh has gotten better and better every race this season . Today's victory is a culmination of the hard work and effort she has put forth during her career at Texas Tech."
In other Texas Tech indoor championship news, Shameron Turner (Dallas, Texas) did not advance pass the preliminary round in the 200 meters. The sophomore ran a time of 21.80 and placed 16th amongst all competitors.
"It was Shameron's first trip to the championships, hopefully, he can build from this experience," Sholars said. "We will need him to bounce back quickly in order to be successful tomorrow in our 4X400 relay."
The Texas Tech men's 4X400 relay team is scheduled to race tomorrow night at 8:10 p.m.