June 10, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - Senior Richard Lowe ended his collegiate career with a first-team All-American nod at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Friday. Gray skies gathered over the Jim Duncan Track at Drake Stadium; the championships were delayed for over an hour and the track was still damp when the 400m hurdles began.

That didn't deter Lowe from turning in another sterling performance. The Kansas City, Missouri native finished seventh in the 400m hurdles in the final race of the season, with a 50.99s run. He defeated Illinois' Cody Wisslead and finished one spot behind Ole Miss' Lee Moore. Washington State's Jeshua Anderson won the event, running his race in 48.56s.

"Richard got out well, but didn't close as well tonight as he did Wednesday," said head coach Kevin Robinson.

Wednesday, Lowe broke the school record in the 400 hurdles with a 50.15s mark. Had he equaled that mark in Friday's race, he would have tied with Texas Tech's Jamele Mason for fifth.

With his qualification in the final, Lowe became Memphis' first track All-American since Nick Brooks (880 yard run) and Terron Wright (60 yard hurdles and 200m dash). Lowe is the only hurdler in the modern era from Memphis to become an All-American.

It was Lowe's second national championship appearance; he finished 20th in 2010, bowing out in the semifinals.

"He made the finals and improved from where he was expected to finish," said Robinson. "He had a great career and season, and I have nothing but good things to say about him."