Victor Banjo Seventh In 100 Meters At NCAA Outdoor Championships

CLAREMONT, Calif. — His goal was a national championship. He didn't quite reach that goal, but that does nothing to detract from sophomore Victor Banjo (Sugarland, Texas/Stephen F. Austin) and his accomplishments in the 2012 track and field season, culminating in his seventh-place finish in the 100-meter dash in the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships.

Much like the emotions he expressed following his fourth-place finish in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships in March, Banjo felt some disappointment in missing out on the top spot on the awards stand. Head Coach Craig Penney expressed no such dissatisfaction with Banjo's most unexpected five-month journey.

"He is disappointed, but he made the final and hopefully will embrace the performance," Penney said. "What a great season!"

Banjo reached the 100-meter dash final after turning in the third-fastest time in his preliminary race on Friday. His time of 10.58 was tops in his heat and broke a school record. In the final, Banjo equaled the previous school record with a time of 10.60 to place seventh.

Banjo also competed in the 200-meter dash at the meet, hosted by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps University. He finished 15th out of 20 competitors, turning in his second-fastest time of the season at 21.55.

Banjo is one of just 10 Wittenberg men's track and field student-athletes to earn All-America honors, and he became just the sixth student-athlete to claim more than one such national accolade. Banjo and Skip Ivery, class of 2004, are the only Wittenberg track and field student-athletes to earn All-America in both indoor and outdoor competitions.

Banjo's finish earned Wittenberg two team points. That put the Tigers 67th in the final NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field standings.