DES MOINES, IOWA- Closing out the 2010 season in style, five Appalachian State men’s track and field athletes competed at the ever-competitive USATF junior nationals in Des Moines, Iowa over the past week.

The Black and Gold were paced by the strong performance of freshman distance runner Michael Lilley (Hagerstown, Md./Williamsport). Lilley grabbed a sixth place finish in the 10,000m run with a time of 32:30.42, good enough to earn him junior all-America status in the event. Teammate Burk Staub (Raleigh, N.C./Broughton) was strong as well, placing 10th overall with a mark of 33:06.87.

In the 1500m run, freshman Alex Taylor (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) ran a 3:53.10 in the prelims to qualify for the finals in the event. In the finals, Taylor earned a ninth place finish with a time of 3:58.32.

Two other Mountaineers were in action as well, as Landon Powell (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson) came in 16th in the prelims of the 100m dash with a time of 10.76 and Trey Jones (Robbinsville, N.C./Robbinsville) also had a solid showing, running the 110m hurdles in 14.81, finishing 18th.

ASU caps off the record-breaking 2009-10 season having clinched the triple crown in the Southern Conference, winning the cross country, and indoor and outdoor men’s track and field championships.