Courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

BEREA, Ohio - Westfield State senior Kerry Arouca (Hanson) saved her best for last by placing second in the 5,000 meter run at the NCAA Division III outdoor track and field national championships on Saturday, May 29, at Baldwin-Wallace College.

Arouca finished a strong second with a time of 17:01.28, trailing only University of Chicago junior standout Liz Lawton, who captured national championships in both the 5,000 meter (16:54.05) and 10,000 meter runs.

Arouca also doubled at the NCAA championships as she placed eighth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase on Friday to earn All-America honors.

"It (5,000 meter run) was the best race that she has ever run," said Westfield State head coach Sean O'Brien of his five-time All-American. "She is really happy and ecstatic right now. I told her it was her final college race so just go for it."

Arouca took the early lead then Lawton passed her and Arouca stayed on Lawton's shoulder for most of the race, according to O'Brien. With several laps to go Lawton pulled away from the rest of the pack to cruise to her second national championship in two days.

"When Lawton made her move Kerry tried to make her move (to stay with Lawton) but just couldn't," said O'Brien, who noted it was another hot day in northeast Ohio.

Arouca was closely followed across the finish line by Lauren Reich (DePauw, 17:01.71), Simone Childs-Walker (Carleton, 17:01.75), Alicia Freese (Pomona-Pitzer, 17:04.4.6), and Laura Paulsen (Johns Hopkins, 17:06.42).

It was Arouca's second best time in the 5,000 meter run. She ran a personal best of 17:00.11 at the 2010 All New England indoor championships. Arouca placed second in the 5,000 at the 2010 indoor national championships with a 17:02.22 clocking.