LACROSSE, WIS.  5/23/13 – Keene State College junior Ryan Widzgowski of Camden, Maine took his first step toward earning his second All-America honor by qualifying for the finals in the 1,500-meter race at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Roger Harring Stadium on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse on Thursday.

Widzgowski finished second in his heat and fourth overall in Thursday's preliminaries with a time of 3:52.77.  Jordan Schilit, a senior from Haverford (Pa.) College posted the top time of 3:50.75. 

Widzgowski moves on to the finals of the 1,500 which will take place on Saturday.

Staying in the middle of the pack through the first lap, Widzgowski made his move at the end of the second lap.  He temporarily took the lead before Dan Sullivan, a junior from Wisconsin-Stevens Point, passed him going down the back stretch. 

"Ryan did a good job.  We just wanted to make sure he was in the top-four and be one of the automatic qualifiers," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas.  "Ryan said he went a little harder than what he wanted, but I told him you're running 3:42.  It's not like your jogging."

Widzgowski earned his first All-American honor this winter, finishing second in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Track championships.

Senior Maggie Fitter from Branford, Conn. will run in the second of three 800-meter preliminaries on Friday.  Fitter, who is seeded 20th out of 22 runners with a qualifying time of 2:12.48, hopes to reach the finals despite having a stress fracture in her foot.

"Maggie is anticipating the race tomorrow, but she's going to have a tough time reaching the finals," said Thomas.  "All we talked about was giving it her best shot so she can go away happy."