BEXLEY, OHIO  3/12/11 – Not content to earn All-American honors just in the distance medley relay,  Amy Knoblock and Paige Mills returned to the track at the  NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships at Capitol University on Saturday with the intention of winning All-America in their individual events.

Knoblock, a senior from Plymouth, Mass. was able to get her individual All-American honor with her third place finish in the mile while Mills, a junior from Keene, N.H., fell just short of her goal, placing ninth in the 5,000-meter race. 

Knoblock, who ran the opening leg of the KSC distance medley relay team that placed third on Friday night, stayed in the back of the pack for most of the race.  Rebuffed in her initial attempt to move up and almost bumped off the track, Knoblock made a second successful attempt in the last lap.  "It was real tough race," said Knoblock.  "I thought I might get disqualified, so I was happy when the white flag went up."

Knoblock kicked into gear, moving up to second in the back stretch behind eventual champion Randelle Boots, a sophomore from Wellesley College.  "It was surreal being with Boots because she is such a great runner," said Knoblock.  "I tried to go with her, but in the end I was pleased with my race. It was nice to end my indoor career in a positive note."

"Amy ran a terrific tactical race," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas.  "She kicked at just the right time and brought it home."

Although she was passed by Grayce Selig a senior from Brandeis a few yards from the finish, Knoblock wouldn't be denied her individual honor.  

Booth won the national championship in the mile with a time of 4:57.46. Selig was second in 4:58.47 and Knoblock was third with a time of 4:58.79.

In the 5,000, Wendy Pavlus, a senior from St. Lawrence University, ran away from the pack, winning her second consecutive national title with a NCAA season-best time of 16:51.78.

After staying in the second pack for a good portion of the race, Mills, tried to stay in contention for All-American honors as the runners started to separate in the 25 lap race.  Looking to finish strong, Mills attempted a kick near the end, but came up short in her All-American bid, placing ninth with a time of 17:14.45.   

"Paige is disappointed," said Thomas.  "It would've been nice if she was able to move up one position.  But it's difficult running back-to-back days, especially against a quality field.  She just ran out of time."

With Knoblock's third place finish in the mile and the DMR's third place performacne, Keene State has now produced 49 All-Americans in women's track.