With a time of 3:44.95 in the 1,500 meter run, Patrick Casey took fifth at the NCAA West Regional meet to earn a bid to the NCAA Championships. (Complete Meet Results)

Casey entered Saturday's race with the top seed, after finishing with the fastest time on Thursday in 3:44.55. Despite a struggle mid-race, the Laurel, Mont. native was able to rally and secure a fifth place finish in 3:44.95.

“I felt solid on Thursday and I wish I could say the same about today,” said Casey. “In the last 100 I was able to move up in the field and get where I needed to be.”

Casey will take two weeks off and then travel to Des Moines for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 8-11 in Des Moines, Iowa.