April 4, 2008

FAYETTE, Mo. - Former Central Methodist University track star Patrick Stroupe won the men's title Sunday at the 2008 USA Team Trials-IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Eugene, Ore.

As one of the top five finishers in each of the 20 km races, Stroupe qualifies for the right to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup, to be held May 10-11 in Cheboksary, Russia.

Stroupe's time in the men's race was 1:30:29. Second place was John Nunn with a time of 1:30:50. Two-time Olympian Tim Seaman finished third with a time of 1:32:48.

Stroupe, of Armstrong, Mo., graduated from Central Methodist University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a minor in environmental science. He was a member of the CMU Track and Field Team all four years as a student and was the recipient of the CMU's Estes Prize in Athletics. He was also recognized as an NAIA All-American, an NAIA Scholar All-American and NAIA Region 5 Scholar Athlete.

Stroupe finished his collegiate career this past spring when captured his third NAIA National Championship in the Men's 5000 Meter Race Walk. Since then he has been training for the Race Walk Olympic Trials, June 27-July 6 in Eugene, Ore, for the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing.

For more information on the 2008 USA Team Trials-IAAF World Race Walking Cup, visit www.usatf.org.