Feb. 8, 2006

By Doug Fessler, Central Methodist Sports Information

FAYETTE, Mo. - Central Methodist University (Mo.) Track & Field standout Patrick Stroupe has qualified for the USA Track and Field Championships to be held in Boston, MA, February 24-26, 2006.  Stroupe, a senior from Armstrong, Mo. will be competing in the 5K Race Walk.  This past weekend, Stroupe made the qualifying mark at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Invite with a time of 12:38, eclipsing the qualifying standard of 12:45.  He is currently listed as one of the Top 8 walkers in the United States.

Stroupe got started race-walking when the late CMU coach Gary Stoner and former teammate Beth Lewis introduced it to him three years ago. Currently, Stroupe is coached by Head Coach Brent Tischer and assistant coaches, Lewis and Nate Rucker. Stroupe is a three-time NAIA All-American and the 2004 NAIA Outdoor Race Walk National Champion. In 2005, he finished 2nd in the NACAC Developmental 10K Race Walk.

At CMU, Stroupe maintains a 3.68 GPA, while seeking a major in Communications and a minor in Environmental Science. He is the son of Sam and Kathleen Stroupe and attended Fayette High School. 

To learn more about Central Methodist University visit www.centralmethodist.edu.