Levi, a senior from Watertown, Wis., finished 22nd in a time of 25 minutes, 43.9 seconds, at the Midwest Regional Championships last Saturday to earn his berth in the national meet. The top five teams qualify, along with the top seven individuals from the rest of the teams.
"The Midwest Region is one of the most competitive regions in NCAA Division III," said Levi, noting that six of the top 10 teams in the country are in that region. "I knew going into it that I was going to have to run with or better than some of the top runners from nationally ranked teams. I knew going into this there was going to be tremendous competition. I wanted to run fast and have a pr (personal record)."
Levi did just that, besting his previous top time by 17 seconds. To reach his goal of a spot in the NCAA meet, Levi put in a lot of time on the road this past summer.
"This summer I ran more than I ever had before. I ran 11 times per week in June, July, and August," Levi said. "I just got it done. It wasn't pleasant."
Levi put in 650 miles in 10 weeks this past summer, and all that training paid off last Saturday. "After the race I knew there were five guys in front of me who were going to nationals," Levi said. "I wasn't sure if there was another one or two guys ahead of me who would bump me."
Levi and others were crowding around the area in which the results were being posted when a coach from another school said, "Levi's going."
"I said, 'Oh, my god, that's me.' It was just a complete shock," Levi said.
This marks the first time since 1990 that a Lawrence runner has qualified for the NCAA Championships. Chris Naumann qualified for the Vikings in 1989 and 1990. He placed 41st in 25:08 in 1989 and was 83rd in 26:22 in 1990.
The trip to the NCAA meet caps another great season for Levi, who won titles at the Lawrence Invitational and the Northland Baptist Invitational. Levi is a four-time All-Midwest Conference selection and placed fourth at this year's championships. Levi recorded six top-10 finishes in nine meets this season.