DELAWARE, Ohio -- Virginia Wesleyan College's young track and field program capped its 10th season of intercollegiate competition by producing the first Marlin All-American in the sport.

Randy Lott (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox), a May graduate, recorded history for VWC by placing seventh in the 100 meter dash Saturday at the NCAA Division III track and field championship meet at Selby Field and the George Gauthier Track at Ohio Wesleyan University. The Marlin record holder in the event clocked a final time of 10.76 en route to earning the All-America honor.

"This is huge for our program," said VWC head men's cross country and track and field coach Mat Littleton. "It helps others believe they can achieve the same thing. He qualified for nationals last year and this year we got a second person there with him.  Sean Whitson did the same thing in cross country. Once he got there other guys believed and we got two additional guys the following two years.

"It always takes that first person to believe and the the bar is raised and others follow.  I'm just really happy for Randy because he's so deserving. He's worked hard to get to this point and has earned everything he's received. Nothing was given to him.  It's always nice to see hard work rewarded."

Lott, who made his second straight appearance, in the annual NCAA event, was one of two Marlins to compete in Saturday's finals.  Junior Ethan Fowlkes (Quinton/New Kent) made his first trip to the NCAA competition and placed 20th in the triple jumpwith a distance of 42 feet and one-half inch.  Fowlkes is also VWC's record holder in the event.

Lott also competed in the 200 prelims on Thursday, but did not qualify for the finals. He finished in a time of 21.77 to place 17th among the 20 finalists.  Only the top eight advanced to Saturday's championship race.

Lott is the fourth All-American this spring for Virginia Wesleyan.  Tori Higginbotham earned first team All-American honors in softball and Josh Currier and Nick Pappas both received All-American awards in lacrosse.  Currier was a second team honoree and Pappas was an honorable mention recipient.  The Marlins also had an All-American during the winter athletic season when D.J. Woodmore picked up first team honors in men's basketball.

--AMDG--