February 23, 2013

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – UNCG junior runner Paul Chelimo (Chebiemit, Kenya/Chebiemit Boys School) and sophomore Paul Katam (Eldoret, Kenya/Sacho) claimed the top two spots in the 3,000-meter race as the 2013 Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem Saturday, the first day of the two-day meet

"The men's 3,000-meter race obviously went very well," head coach Linh Nguyen said. "It was a really well run race tactically and of course we couldn't be happier taking the top two spots. We had planned to have Katam and Chelimo trade the lead every 400 meters and just keep a hard pace. The runner from Davidson made a strong move with about 1,200 left to take the lead. This actually worked well because it gave the two Pauls a chance to relax and catch their breath. They sat and waited from that point before kicking by to finish one-two."

Chelimo's SoCon title marks his sixth title in two years in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. He has already won two cross country titles, the Indoor Mile last year, the outdoor 1,5000-meter race last year and was part of last season's distance medley-relay championship team.

Chelimo posted a facility-record time of 8:09.07 to win his title, besting his teammate Katam, who finished just 1.68 back with a personal-best time of 8:10.75. Katam's time was also under the previous facility record and bested his personal-best time of 8:11.56 set earlier this year at the Hokie Invitational. They finished easily in front of third place finisher Demetrios Pagonis of Davidson who came in with a time of 8:13.02.

Chelimo and Katam will race for another SoCon title Sunday afternoon as they are two of the top qualifiers in the 5,000-meter race.

- UNCG -