LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Three members of the Lock Haven University men’s and women’s track and field teams are set to take part in the 2008 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship in Walnut, Calif.

The Championship meet is being hosted by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and is being held at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mount San Antonio College.

Action will kick off Thursday, May 22 at 10:30 Pacific and wraps up Saturday night.

Making the flight west is junior Lady Eagle Chelsea Morse (Beaver Dams, N.Y./Campbell), who was just one miss away from a National title last year in Charlotte, N.C. at the NCAA Championships.

She is headed into the championship tied for first overall with height of 5-8.75 and has proven time and time again that she saves her best performances for the biggest stages.

Morse will certainly be looking for a second straight All-American performance, but has hopes and the potential to take home the National crown.

“She’s (Morse) excited, ready to jump high and compete,” said LHU co-head coach Heather Leverington. “She expects to be an All-American and is going to contend for the title.

The Bald Eagles will be represented Paul Martin (Pickering, Ontario/Pine Ridge Secondary) and Ryan Blood (Summerdale, Pa./Pennsboro).

Martin enters ranked fifth in the 400 meter hurdles and will certainly look to contend for the top spot and All-American status.

“Paul’s has really come into this own this season,” said LHU co-head coach Aaron Russell. “His rhythm is on and he looks smooth, we’re looking forward to him racing.”

Blood, the Haven’s senior distance standout enters the National Championship meet on fire, having set the track a blaze since returning this spring.

He will look to continue is sensational season with a 5K/10K double.

Blood is ranked fifth heading into the 5,000 meter run (14:02.49) and seventh in the 10,000 (29:45.09) as both teams are LHU school records.

Blood will have to run three races in three days as the 10K final is Thursday, followed by a Friday 5K prelim with the 5K final set for Saturday night.

“He’s got a lot of races,” said Russell who’s looking for Blood to cap off a stellar season on a high note. “He’s had an amazing spring and hopefully he can top off an amazing season and career in a big way.

For more information and results, visit the official meet page at link listed below