EUGENE, Ore. – Senior All-American David Timlin took a courageous chance early on in the NCAA final in the 1500-meter, but ended up taking 10th overall for Second-Team honors as Indiana State concluded its stay at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on Friday.
 
Timlin, a three-time national qualifier in the 1500 and now a three-time Second-Team All-American in the event, was up against an elite field this evening and went in with a bold strategy: make a move early on toward the front and stay there as best as possible. Timlin did just that about 500 meters into the race, but the pack fought back and Timlin was unable to unleash his signature kick down the final stretch, taking 10th overall at 3:45.41.
 
"I just didn't feel as good as I normally did and I wasn't closing as well," Timlin said.
 
Today closes the book on an amazing Sycamore career by Timlin, who leaves Indiana State as one of – if not the best – men's middle-distance runner in school history. In addition to his three All-American honors in his three trips to Eugene, Timlin claimed six MVC titles in his career – including three alone in 2016, in which he was named both the indoor and outdoor MVC Most Valuable Male Athlete. He leaves as Indiana State's career leader indoors in the mile (4:00.42) and 3K (7:58.59), as well as the 1500 record holder outdoors at 3:41.35, run at last year's national meet.
 
"He went for it, took a risky move and got up into the lead and mixed it up with the best in the country because he belongs there," said ISU distance coach Kyle Walsh. "I am really proud of him and we'll see where he goes from here. He's got a lot left in the tank and he's represented the Sycamores with class and dignity all along. It's been really fun working with him and he's made Coach McNichols proud."
 
On top of all his accomplishments, this year was a tough one for Timlin (and all Sycamores) following the tragic loss of head coach John McNichols in December. Timlin subtly paid tribute to his former distance coach while ESPN's cameras were on him, tapping the JM patch on his jersey before the race began.
 
"This has been a tough year, and I'm very proud of the efforts he put out in getting here," said ISU head coach Angela Martin.
 
"He was going to have no regrets," Walsh said. "I know Coach was in his heart and in his mind."
 
Timlin's finish today wraps up Indiana State's stay in TrackTownUSA for the NCAA Championships, as well as the 2017 season. The Sycamores leave with two Second-Team All-American honors from Timlin and Marcus Neely (10th, 110-meter hurdles), and two Honorable Mention All-American honors from Taylor Austin (18th, 3,000-meter steeplechase) and Alethia Marrero (24th, 800-meter).
 
The year potentially isn't quite over, though, as Neely could be in the running to qualify for the USATF Outdoor National Championships in Sacramento later this month (June 22-25).
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track and Field team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.