EUGENE Ore.- Natalie Block represented the Milwaukee women's track & field team at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. Thursday night. Block locked up second team All-American honors in the 400m hurdles with a record-setting performance.
 
Block finished in 56.92 to improve the program record she set in her quarterfinal race at 56.95. She placed 12th overall in the event, the best finish ever recorded by a Panther woman at Nationals, to become the first All-American since moving up to Division I in 1990.
 
"When athlete's get to this level, especially when they have been here before, there are and should be high goals. Natalie has always set the bar high for herself, so missing out on finals was a little hard on her," Said head coach Andrew Basler. "Yet, there is still the gratitude and a sense of accomplishment coming into these championships ranked 21st and finishing 12th in the country for 2nd Team All-American honors. Add to the mix the disappointing injury at last year's championships, she should be extremely proud of her efforts today. Natalie successfully executed some adjustments we made last week with parts of her race, and she ran one of her smoothest races of her career."
 
Block will close the book on the season as the Horizon League Champion in the 100m and 400m hurdles, making it to the national quarterfinals in the 100m hurdles. She will also head into next season as the school record holder in both events. She will also compete in the USA Championships July 31-August 3 in Eugene, Ore.