Highlands grad advances at NCAA track championships

Despite odd circumstances, track standout Tom Slosky made history at Duquesne University.

Slosky, a Highlands graduate, overcame getting bumped in the chest in his semifinal heat and an appeal with the NCAA to earn a spot in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals of the NCAA Track and Field Championships tonight at Sacramento (Calif.) State.

The junior became the first Duquesne track athlete to reach the NCAA finals after he ran a time of 8:43.39 on Wednesday in the semifinals.

But he didn't accomplish the feat without some controversy.

Slosky said he was heading to the water pit and had about 100 meters left when California's Carl Moe cut him off on his right side and stuck an elbow in his chest.

"He pushed me back, and I threw my arms up and almost stopped," Slosky said. "At that point, I was in third place, and other guys were gaining on me. The next thing I knew, I had lost ground."

Duquesne distance coach Jim Lear filed an appeal, which was upheld and resulted in Moe's disqualification.

The top 14 runners automatically made the finals -- the top five from two heats and the next four best times -- but Slosky said he dropped to 16 after the incident.

"After the race, (Moe) apologized." Slosky said, "So, he knew he did it. It was tough because I was on the final 100 meters, and I was going full out and lost my momentum."

Slosky is the only two-time NCAA championship qualifier in Duquesne history.

He entered the season with a school record in the steeplechase (9:02.03). This year, he's cut 19 seconds off that time.

Slosky is poised to become the first track All-American in school history if he can finish in the top eight.

"It's been amazing," Slosky said. "Since January, I have been thinking about this opportunity I could possibly get. I know this is an opportunity I may not get again at this level."

The NCAA finals will be at 7:10 p.m. today, and the event will be televised on CSTV.