June 12, 2004

AUSTIN, Texas - Gaucho junior Desiree Leek finished 15th out of 27 in the NCAA National Championship 5,000m final on Saturday night in Austin Texas. Leek ran 17:18.36 on a warm and humid night to improve on her 22nd place seeding going into the race.

Leek capped a fantastic distance season for the Gauchos, running the 3rd best 5,000m time in Gaucho history (16:33.13) and the 4th best 1,500m (4:26.18). Leek won the Big West Championship at 5,000m and was named Co-Most Valuable UCSB Women's Track & Field athlete for the 2004 season.