Wildcat runner Lawi Lalang was named the national champion of the men’s 5,000-meter race, finishing in 13:35.19. Following in second was the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Paul Chelimo, who completed the race in 13:40.41.

Lalang took home the gold in the men’s 10,000 meter race Thursday when he crossed the finish line at 29:29.65.

In today’s race, Lalang led the pack for the entire run. Texas A&M’s Henry Lelei kept close with Lalang when there was eight laps to go but fell behind further into the race. Lelei finished in eighth.

Lalang made a big break from the pack in the final laps to guarantee his second win of NCAA Track and Field National Championships.

“Actually, it really wasn’t that much easy. It was kind of odd, that I could win it from the start,” he said.

Lalang said this year he felt more prepared and had the drive to win compared to last year, even though he did take home the championship in the 5,000 meters in 2012.

“This year I was out, I trained really good, so I knew it was going to end well,” he said.

Now that the NCAA National Championships have come to a close, Lalang is looking forward to training for the cross country season.