Wichita, Kan. - Senior Matt Ditzler was announced as the NAIA National Runner of the week on Wednesday, October 12^th.

"I am very happy to hear that Matt was named national runner of the week. This is our first runner to ever get this award so it is a great tribute to our program and where we are now. We have come a long ways in the last few years," said Head Coach Brad Peterson

Ditzler posted an 8K time of 24:41.9 to finish second at the Fort Hays State Open held in Hays, Kan., on Oct. 8. The time established a new personal best for the senior and shattered the schools record by 33 seconds. Ditzler, a native of Huntington, Ind., helped power the 14th-ranked Falcons to a second-place finish with 60 points. The 12-team field included NCAA Division I and II programs.

"This award for Matt is awesome, since he had to sit out last year because of knee surgery. It has been a long, tough road back but he has worked so hard and he deserves the success he is having," said Peterson. "More than anything, Matt is a team player and would rather see team success than individual success. If he can get this team on the podium at nationals to end his last season, that will make him very happy."