June 13, 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa - Senior Bobby Curtis claimed the 2008 NCAA title in the 5,000m at the NCAA Championships on Friday evening, crossing the finish line in 13:33.93. This is Villanova's first men's outdoor track title since 1981 and the first in the 5,000m since 1979.

Curtis's time was a personal best by six seconds as his previous best was 13:39.88. He ran the last 1,200m of the race in three minutes and finished the final 400m in 56 seconds.

"I am so thrilled for him," said head coach Marcus O'Sullivan. "It has been a long five years for Bobby and he has worked very hard to get where he is today. There is no better person that could have won. He truly deserves this."

With his time, Curtis is in a better position to qualify for a spot at the U.S. Olympic Trials held later this month.

Curtis was the runner-up at the Indoor NCAA Championships and was back-to-back BIG EAST conference champion in 2007 and 2008.