Weeks after graduating Lehigh University, Hillsborough High School 2011 alumnus Ryan Mahalsky was the only qualifying track and field athlete from the 10-team Patriot League to qualify for the Division 1 national championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Mahalsky placed 17th in the 10,000-meter race at the NCAA men’s outdoor track and field national championship at Oregon’s Hayward Field on June 17. Mahalsky crossed the line in 30:03.16 and earns honorable mention All-American status with his finish.
“I couldn’t be more proud of arguably one of the best runners in the history of Lehigh and one of the best runners in the country,” said head coach Matt Utesch. “Ryan competed head-to-head and showed what kind of runner he was to get here. Obviously today’s race was a phenomenal field and I’m proud of the race he ran and the way he capped off his career.”
Mahalsky said, “The race went out a little harder than I was accustomed to, but I felt good and I’m so happy I was able to make it to this point.”
Mahalsky wraps up his Lehigh career as the school’s first-ever track athlete to make it to the NCAA championship and second-ever Mountain Hawk male to make it to the big show.
He advanced after finishing fifth in the event at the NCAA East preliminary meet on May 28. He graduates as a two-time Patriot League Champion in outdoor track and field after winning the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races at this season’s league championship meet to earn “Track Athlete of the Meet” honors.
Mahalsky competed in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA East Prelims and participated in the 10,000-meter race at the 2014 East Regional.
Mahalsky proved to be one of Lehigh’s best-ever runners in indoor track and cross country. He was a two-time All-East performer in the indoor track 5,000-meter race, including winning the title with a Lehigh record at the 2015 indoor IC4A Championships to become Lehigh’s first-ever male IC4A track champion. Mahalsky was a three-time first team All-Patriot League cross country runner; he finished 46th at the 2015 NCAA Cross Country Championship in 2014, the highest-ever finish by a Lehigh male.
“Throughout my time at Lehigh I’ve learned that hard work triumphs talent,” said Mahalsky. “I wasn’t the most talented kid coming in and I worked as hard as I could every day and it paid off big time in a big way, and I know that’s something I’ll take with me as I move forward.”
“The reason Lehigh has athletics is because it reveals character and develops leadership,” said Utesch. “Ryan has matured amazingly and has become a true leader throughout his time at Lehigh. I’m so proud of and happy for the storied career he’s put together. He has shown incredible grit and toughness, which I know he will continue to show as he moves into the working world and continues his running career.”
