GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Lucas Mueller (St Paul, Minn./Nova Classical Academy) was the runner up in the men's 10,000-meter run at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, earning the Carleton College senior All-America recognition for the sixth time in his collegiate career. (SEE CHART BELOW)
 
Mueller posted a time of 30:07.89 on a hot, humid night of racing. When the starting gun went off for the 10K, the temperature at Irwin Belk Track was 80 degrees. Jared Pangallozzi of Johns Hopkins won the event with a time of 29:55.42.
 
The 17-runner field was tightly bunched for the opening few laps. Mueller, tired of being boxed in, made a move to the outside on the sixth lap and sprinted to the head of the pack. He held down that spot until Pangallozzi overtook him with about seven laps to go.
 
Mueller was also the runner up in the same event at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships, the last time Nationals was held. That spring, he came back two days later to turn in an All-America finish in the 5,000-meter run, a feat that Mueller will look to replicate again in 2021.
 
"Every time we think that we've seen the best, we are proven wrong," said Carleton head coach Dave Ricks. "Our coaching staff is rarely surprised by our athletes. That is mainly because we can see the potential in them. But Lucas Mueller goes beyond his potential; because he is more than the sum of his physical and mental abilities. You just can't teach that kind of courage. If the Lion in the Wizard of Oz had Lucas' courage, he would truly be the King of the Forest. This type of effort is what inspires coaches to coach. Our mantra for this this season is "Run to be Remembered." Lucas' effort tonight is a culmination of all of his work, and it will certainly be remembered!"
 
UP NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS: Day 2 of the NCAA Championships will see another Knight race for a spot on the podium. Matt Wilkinson (Sr./Greenwood, Minn./Minnetonka) will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 3:45pm CT/4:45pm ET on Friday, May 28. Wilkinson captured fourth place in the same event at the 2019 NCAA Championships.
 
All-America Awards for Lucas Mueller
17th at 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships
6th in 3,000m at 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships
2nd in 10,000m at 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships
5th in 5000m at 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships
29th at 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships
2nd in 10,000m at 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships