DES MOINES, Iowa - Former VMI distance runner Donnie Cowart '09 will compete at this weekend's USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. The meet, held at Drake University, will be broadcast on a variety of outlets, with relevant links above. Cowart's races are expected to be video streamed on flotrack.com.

Cowart will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, which will be contested in two rounds. The first round is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Friday, and the final is Sunday afternoon at 12:50. The former Keydet, now competing for Ragged Mountain Racing out of Charlottesville, will be seeded 16th on the strength of a personal best 8:42.47 time that he posted earlier this season.

"So far the season has gone smoothly," said Cowart. "I've had PR's in the Steeple (8:42.47), as well as the 1500-meters (3:43.56) and nearly the 800-meters. I feel confident that I have raced enough to go into this meet, my target for the entire year, sharp and with fresh legs. This is about where I had hoped to be a year ago, and my main goal is to make the finals in Des Moines and see what I can do on that stage. I'm very excited for this opportunity, and can't wait to match up with the best out there."

Cowart will be facing several individuals he has seen before, as both Kyle Perry and Kyle Heath were entered at last year's USA Championships, at which Cowart finished 11th in his heat and failed to make the final. He will be racing at the same location that, in June of 2008, saw former teammate Felix Kitur finish ninth in the 800-meters at the 2008 NCAA Championships.