LeDuc earns All-American honors in cross country at Div. 3 nationals

Mike LeDuc

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana – Canton’s Michael LeDuc, a junior at Connecticut College in New London, earned All-American honors at the NCAA Division III cross country championships Saturday. LeDuc finished 13th in 24:48 to earn All-American honors in cross country for the first time. He is the first Camel in school history to earn such an honor.

“Mike’s tremendous race today was a culmination of hard work he started way back in the summer and maintained throughout the fall season,” said Jim Butler, head coach at Connecticut College. “I couldn’t be happier and I am extremely proud of what Mike accomplished today.”

Tim Nelson from the University of Wisconsin-Stout won the race with a time of 24:26.80. North Central College won its third NCAA Division III title in the past four seasons.

LeDuc, who is majoring in botany, has been an All-NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) runner the past three seasons, taking third in the recent 2012 meet in 24:30.

He has also earned All-American honors in outdoor track and field earlier this year in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, taking fourth at the NCAA Division III championships. He also earned All-American honors in the steeplechase in 2011 when he finished sixth.

LeDuc graduated from Canton High in 2010. In cross country, he won a Class SS championship in 2009. He earned All-State and All-New England honors in 2009 as the Warriors won a NCCC championship and Class SS state title.

In indoor track, LeDuc won a Class S title in the 3,200 in 2010. In outdoor track, he won a Class S title in the 3,200 meters and the State Open title in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 2010.