BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior Clara Mayfield (Sr./Manhattan, Kan./Manhattan) finished third in the mile to earn All-America honors on Saturday's final day of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships.  As the lone competitor for the Knights on Saturday, Mayfield also finished 10th in the 3000m run.
 
Entering the weekend as the top seed in the event, Mayfield tallied the top time in yesterday's preliminary for the mile run and began the day as one of a handful of competitors in national title contention. 
 
Despite shaving an entire second off her time from a day ago, Mayfield finished third in a time of 4:51.08.  Annika Urban of Emory, who entered the day with the second fastest time in yesterday's prelims, took the crown with a Championship record time of 4:43.17. 
 
Less than two hours later, Mayfield was back on the track in the 3000m run.  She entered the day with the third-fastest time in the country this season, but she was up against another Championship record, which took the title.  Mayfield finished 10th with a time of 9:44.86. 

"Clara is the veteran in the group, which lead her to a strong preliminary race on Friday," described Head Coach Donna Ricks.  "She took command from the start, qualifying for the finals and a third place finish in the mile. When a team has an athlete of Clara's caliber and qualifies for the championships, others realize that they too have the potential and ability and assists in elevating their goals.
 
Mayfield closes the season atop the Carleton distance record books.  The Manhattan, Kan., native owns the top times in the mile run (4:50.2), 3000m (9:35.0), and the 5000m (16:38.6), all of which were accomplished this year. 

As a team, the Knights scored 10 points to finish 23rd in the team standings. 

"This has been an amazing season," finished Ricks.  "Finishing second at the MIAC Championships, just out of first by 3.5 points and having five women qualify for the NCAA DIII Championships speaks loudly of the commitment and work ethic of this team."