CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Allison Kreutzer and Angela Cobb set a new standard in Clayton State Laker track and field on Thursday as the Laker duo both garnered Division II All-American honors in the women's 10,000-meter run at the 2007 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships at Johnson C. Smith.

 Kreutzer placed third in the 10,000-meters with a school-record time of 36:07.28 minutes, while Cobb placed sixth in a time of 36:21.97. Together, they become the second and third runners ever to earn All-American honors in women's track and field at Clayton State. The top eight finishers in the event earn All-American honors.

 In fact, Kreutzer's third-place finish in the event was the highest finish ever for a Clayton State athlete at the Division II Nationals.

 Kreutzer finished behind Grand Valley State's Stacey Kandas (35:54.17) and national champion Nicole Plante from Massachusetts-Lowell (35:23.49).

 "It's tremendous for our program," said Clayton State head coach Mike Mead. "Considering the fact that both ladies had run the event only once before and they were competing against more seasoned runners makes it more amazing. It's a testament to their determination and desire."

 The news wasn't as good for Eric Simmons, who just missed qualifying for the finals in the men's 400-meter dash. The junior finished second in the second heat of the preliminaries with a personal-best time of 47.25 seconds. However, he finished ninth overall, missing the eighth and final spot by nine-one hundredths of a second.

 "In most seasons, his time would've qualified for the finals, but the field was so much stronger this season," Mead said. "You feel for Eric because he worked so hard, yet came so close."
 
Kreutzer is not finished with her events for the weekend. She competes in the preliminaries of the women's 5,000-meters on Friday.