NCAA recognizes Canadian distance runner Cam Levins
B.C. athlete named top male track and field athlete after ruling outdoor 5,000-, 10,000-metre events
Canada's Cam Levins capped a memorable 2012 in style on Wednesday.
The long-distance runner from Black Creek, B.C., won the Bowerman award as the NCAA's top male track and field athlete after a standout year for Southern Utah University.
Levins, who competed for Canada at the London Olympics, swept the NCAA outdoor crowns at 5,000 and 10,000 metres.
His time of 28 minutes 7.14 seconds was the best 10,000 time at the U.S. collegiate event since 1984. Meanwhile in the 5,000, Levins closed in 54.28 seconds on the final lap and 1:59.66 over the last 800m to win by over a second (13:40.05).
At the NCAA indoor championships, he placed third in the 3,000 and fourth in the 5,000.
At the London Games, Levins held his own in a star-studded 10,000-metre field, finishing 11th. He then battled a chest ailment to cross 14th in the 5,000.