A stretch at the line to edge the final two runners gave Wabash's Geoff Lambert a seventh place finish in the 800-meters and an All-American award at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Saturday afternoon.
The sophomore from Chesterton, Indiana was seeded ninth in the race after his preliminary race Friday night, and was only allowed to advance due to the fact that Benedictine University, the host school, has a nine-lane track. Lambert took advantage of his opportunity, finishing the finals with a time of 1:52.76. Defending national champion Nick Symmonds from Willamette repeated as 800 champion with a winning time of 1:49.59.
"He's worked really hard," said head track and field coach Rob Johnson. "Geoff and (assistant) coach Roger Busch have created a workout that has kept Geoff competitive and strong all season.
Lambert's effort makes him the fourth track and field All-American for Wabash in the last seven years. Peter DeYoung was the last Little Giant to receive All-American honors, finishing fourth in the high jump at the 2003 Indoor Nationals