Jan. 9, 2013

TUCSON - The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) released the men's 2013 Bowerman Preseason Watch List on Wednesday. For the second-straight year, junior Lawi Lalang made the list of ten student-athletes. He appears on the Bowerman Watch List for the ninth time, most among all active student-athletes and fifth all-time. The Bowerman is awarded to collegiate track and field's best athlete of the year.

Lalang had another stellar cross country season; he was named the Pac-12 Male Athlete of the Year for the second-straight year. Lalang won the Pac-12 title, NCAA West Regional title and the USTFCCCA West Region Male Athlete of the Year for the second-straight year as well. He won four of his five races in 2012, extending his undefeated streak up to 10 before taking third place at the NCAA Championships. He was named a USTFCCCA All-American for the second-consecutive season.

For the 2012 indoor track season, Lalang set indoor school records in the mile, 3K and 5K, including the collegiate record in the 5,000 meters. Lalang won the NCAA Championship in the 3K and 5K, clocking a time of 7:46.64 in the 3K and 13:25.11 in the 5K. At the Razorback Invitational, Lalang clocked a personal-best time of 3:55.09 in the mile, a school record and ranks as the No. 4 collegiate mile all-time. At the MPSF Championships, Lalang's personal-best time of 7:44.48 in the 3,000-meter race was good for first place and a school record in the event. He set the collegiate record in the 5,000-meter race at the Millrose Games, clocking a personal-best time of 13:08.28.

Outdoors, Lalang ran the 1,500 meters and the 5,000 meters, earning All-America status in both events. At the Payton Jordan Invitational, he clocked a personal-best time of 3:36.77 in the 1,500 meters, good for fourth place in the race and the school record. His personal-best time in the 5K came at the Mt. SAC Relays where he earned a second-place finish with a time of 13:18.88. That mark is the second-best time in UA history. At the NCAA Championships, Lalang clocked a time 13:42.20 in the 5,000-meter race, good for third place and first-team All-America accolades. In the 1,500-meter race at the NCAA Championships, Lalang took 11th place with a time of 3:46.82, good for second-team All-America honors.

The 2013 women's preseason Bowerman Watch List will be released on Thursday.