GULF SHORES, Ala. – Sam Atkin (SR/Lincolnshire, England) tied a bow on his incredible Lewis-Clark State College career as he won his fourth career NAIA National Championship, going away, in the 5,000m run to end the Warriors competition at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium on Saturday.

The victory gave the Lincolnshire, England native his second All-American award at the event and brings his career total to 10 NAIA All-American honors with one in cross country, five on the track indoors and four outdoors. A senior, Atkin will graduate as the most decorated runner in LCSC history. He has helped to raise the bar and establish a foundation of excellence for the track and field program at Lewis-Clark State.

Atkin's worse finish in an NAIA National Championship track event is fifth with four individual national championships (two 3,000m, two 5,000m), one runner-up finish and three third-place trophies.

Atkin ran an opening lap in under 60 seconds in route to a wire-to-wire victory with a time of 14:08.84. It was a fitting end to one of the greatest careers in Warriors' history.

"After Thursday night we felt we needed to go out and set the pace and dictate the race," said Warriors' Head Coach Mike Collins. "Sam ran a first lap that we didn't think many could do and we thought (Geoffery) Kipchumba (of William Carey) was our toughest competition, but he expected Sam to sit back again. He was in the back of the pack and when he realized Sam had taken off it was too late and Sam just dominated the field."

"You don't replace a Sam, I've been doing this for 20 years and it could be awhile before we see another like him. He's proven that with hard work and dedication you can do great things. He wasn't great when he got here, but he continued to work and look where he's at. His biggest challenge now is to continue to build from here, find a good team to train with and see what he can do at the British Trials," said Collins.

Atkin also matched the most All-American awards won at a single event, earning a third-place finish in the 10,000m on Thursday to match his performance at the indoor meet earlier this year.

Dylan Crevelt (JR/Cascade, Idaho) also competed in the 5,000m, finishing 13th in 15:21.11.

Lewis-Clark State also saw the most decorated women's runner in program history compete in her final collegiate race as senior Rachel Cundy (SR/North Lakewood, Wash.) placed 13th in the women's 5,000m with a time of 19:22.12.

"I thought Rachel went out pretty well," said Collins. "She's been struggling a bit with her running, but seeing her finish ahead of where she was ranked was good and she feels good about where she was at. She'll go down as one of the most decorated distance runners we've had. She's had a great career with LCSC and she will be missed."

Cundy will leave as the only three-time NAIA Cross Country All-American in program history while adding a pair of indoor 5,000m honors to her stellar career as a Warrior.

Whitney Lindsey (FR/Camas Valley, Ore.) claimed an All-American award with her sixth-place finish in the javelin on the first day of competition.

The Warriors finish the season with a program record 11 NAIA All-American honors, eight during the indoor event in March and three in Gulf Shores. Lewis-Clark loses Atkin and Cundy next season, but Collins remains excited for the future.

"Each year we do a little bit better and we continue to add to the All-American list and it's great to see. We have a talented core returning and some impact recruits on the way. The goal is to hopefully surpass that record 11 All-Americans this season as we continue to become a more diverse team and continue to improve in the national standings. We've set a solid foundation and our expectations continue to rise each year," added Collins.