Harris & Scheinder Race to Runner-up Finishes At USA's

Former Lewiston High School standout Isaiah Harris turned professional on Saturday evening, and donned the Nike kit for the first time in the 800 final at the USATF Outdoor National Championship in Des Monies, Iowa

Harris who just completed his junior season at Penn State University, opted to forgo his senior year for the Nittany Lions to turn professional. He is coming off a win in the 800m at the NCAA Championships.

Harris has been one of the top 800m runners in the NCAA for the last three years, and has competed well at US Championships despite the long exhaustive collegiate season. A year ago he finished second at the US Championship qualifying for the World Championship in London.

Back to the race, the pace went out in a slow 54.53 with Clayton Murphy leading the way, the pace would pick up during the second lap.

Harris in his first professional race challenged Murphy with 200m to go but Murphy held off the surge and would go on to win the race. Harris would finish well nabbing a runner-up finish for the second consecutive year.

"I'm super excited to be representing Nike now, it's been on my mind for the past couple of weeks to make a decision to go pro." Harris told Flotrack post race

Despite turning professional Harris intends to finish out his degree next year.

"I'm still going stay at Penn State and train with coach Gondak to finish out my degree."

Harris will debut in the Diamond League meet in Paris on Wednesday in the 800m.

Rachel Schneider a Sanford native notched her best finish in a US Nationals with her second place effort in the on Sunday. Schneider clocked 15:32.71 to finish in the silver medal position.

The race played out well for the Under Armour sponsored Schneider who is now based out of Flagstaff, Arizona as she worked her way from ninth place after the first mile up 4th at the 2 mile marker.

At the bell she was in third place in a strong position to kick. She was even with eventual race winner Shelby Houlihan with 150m to go, and would fight all the way to line finishing her last lap in 64.32.

Schneider who finished fourth in the 1500m final on Friday doubled back with success on Sunday

Schneider said  "The plan was to be as relaxed as possible at the beginning, and see what we had at the end."

As for moving forward it will be a decision as to which event she chooses the 1500m or the 5k.

"I love the 1500m, I've always been a 1500, but I love the 5k too." Schneider commented post race.

This summer she plans to head to Europe to chase a personal best in the 1500.

Riley Masters was one of four guys with a chance to win at the bell in the men's 5k on Sunday. The Colorado based Masters now being coached by Mark Wetmore closed well in 56.25 to finish fourth in 13:30.23, less than a second off the winning 13:29.47 of Paul Chelimo.

Other Maine natives who competed at the USATF Nationals where Madison native Matt McClintock who now runs for Zap Fitness. McClintock had the best race of his season to date as he finished 6th in a time of 29:11.47. New Balance sponsored Emily Durgin ran in the 10k on Thursday night she placed 16th in a time of 33:53.22