LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Senior Ryan Blood (Summerdale, Pa./East Pennsboro), a distance standout for the Lock Haven University men’s track and field team has been named the LHU Male Athlete of the Year.

This is the first time this award has been given and the Department of Athletics could not ask for a better recipient for their inaugural award, as Blood just finished his outstanding five year career at the Haven in memorable fashion.

“I am honored to be the first Lock Haven male athlete to receive this award,” said Blood It has been a privilege to represent the university the last five years during my career.”

LHU head coach Aaron Russell also couldn’t be happier with the selection of Blood.

“He’s persevered through a number of injuries and obstacles, but is the type of person who’s utilized them to make him a stronger, more determined athlete,” said Russell. “From the moment he signed with LHU as a high school senior he’s been the catalyst for our program’s success, and has played a major role in the three NCAA regional and seven PSAC titles we’ve won over the last five years.”

Blood kicked off his senior season running two races unattached during the indoor season. He clocked a sensational 4:11 on the way to a win in the mile at Susquehanna.

He also clocked a personal best 8:07 on the way to win the 3K at the prestigious Penn State National meet.

One of Ryan’s career highlights, which boosted his shot at a professional career, was running unattached at the USA 8,000 Meter Road Race National Championships in March at a course Central Park. Despite being the youngest competitor in the field, he placed 22nd in the 8K with an incredible time of 23:44.

Blood was ranked 49th of 50 going in, but quickly established himself as one of the races elite competitors coming in 22nd.

The race included numerous Olympians and members of the United States National team.

Blood’s 23:44 put him just 12 second behind Alan Webb, the American record holder in the mile.

During outdoor season his greatness continued with more record breaking performances. He set four LHU school records in the 1500m (3:47.20), 3000m (8:25.31), 5000m (14:02.49), and 10,000m (29:45.09).

The outdoor season marked Blood’s last in crimson and white and he did more of what he had been doing in the first four which was domination for the Bald Eagles.

Over his final spring he set the track a blaze with one gutsy performance after another.

“Every time I stepped on the start line with a Lock Haven singlet on I would try my hardest to do the best to my ability and a lot of the time it went well, but I did have my bad days, just like everybody does,” said Blood.

Those bad days were few and far between in ’08 as he set four straight school records.

Blood reached one of his many goals at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships. He took first in the 5K and 10K, with times of 14:19.80 and 30:27.78, respectively. His 5K time of 14:19.80 established a PSAC Championship record.

Blood was twice named PSAC Track Athlete of the Week and also named the East Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year.

If there was any doubt of a professional career post Lock Haven, this past year should have given Blood even more confidence in his already amazing abilities.

Blood not only succeeded individually, but his talent also helped his team win numerous championships over his four year career.

The men’s indoor team won PSAC Championships in 2004 and 2007. He also led the 2007 men’s outdoor team to a PSAC Championship.

His speed and endurance boosted the cross country team to three consecutive PSAC Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006. They were also NCAA East Region Champs in 2004 and 2006.

Blood will certainly be missed by his coaches and teammates, but will be remembered forever.

“I am looking forward to continuing my running career on the professional level and I will always remember my years running for Lock Haven,” said Blood.

“I would like to thank Coach Russell for molding me into the runner that I am today,” he added.

Coach Russell had a tough time summing up Blood’s career and what he and his success has meant to the program.

“As a coach I cannot put into words what Blood has meant to our program. His school and conference records, championship titles, PSAC and regional honors, and academic accolades are extensive, but it’s the person he is that has left a lasting mark,” said Russell.

“Ryan is passionate about what he does, and it’s contagious to his teammates” said Russell.

“Thank you to the Athletic Department for awarding me this great honor for my career and final season representing Lock Haven,” said a humbled Blood.

“It’s only fitting that he receive the inaugural LHU Male Athlete of the Year award, as I feel he’s the ideal type of student-athlete I try to bring in to represent my programs and this university,” Russell said.

“His character is impeccable, and he uses his work ethic and results to speak for him. He may be a second-generation LHU Track & Field and Cross Country team member, but he has certainly written his own legacy within our programs,” added Russell.