Results

LA CROSSE, WI – Rowan University’s Demetrius Rooks took second place in the 400 meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Championships on Saturday.  The national championships were held at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Roger Harring Stadium.

Rooks (sr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami) ran 51.69 for his third straight All-America honor.  He finished the prelims with the top time of 51.64 among the nine qualifiers that advanced to the final.  Mount Union’s Tyler Mettille won the 400 meter hurdles in 51.24.  At the 2012 NCAA Championships, Rooks was second with a school record time of 51.25.  He also earned All-America honors in 2011 with a second place in 51.98. 

The 4x400 meter relay finished ninth with a time of 3:16.62.  The relay included Taylor Purdue (sr. Highland Lakes, NJ/Vernon Twp.), Josh McGriff (sr. Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central Reg.), Ali Ejaz (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) and Rooks.  Wis.-Eau Claire won the 4x400 meter relay in 3:09.20.  In the prelims on Thursday, Rowan had a time of 3:14.082 and edged Williams College (3:14.088) for the ninth and last spot in the final.  The Profs were the 4x400 meter relay national champion in 2012 and 2011 with times of 3:10.56 and 3:11.45 respectively.