ARLINGTON, Texas - Timing is everything when it comes to running.

In this case, the decision to redshirt Craig Lautenslager after three highly decorated seasons at UTA turned out to be perfect timing.

A standout distance runner ever since stepping onto the UT Arlington campus in 2012, he has taken his performance to another level in his final collegiate year after sitting out all but the indoor season in 2015-16.

Lautenslager, a fifth-year senior, recently smashed the school record in the 10,000 meters by 45 seconds. His time (29:00.59) at the Stanford Invitational was good for fifth place among a stacked field. He finished just 14 seconds behind the winner, multi-time NCAA champion Edward Cheserek of Oregon.

"Craig has definitely improved drastically every season, but you really saw him take it to the next level when he redshirted," UTA coach John Sauerhage said. "He's helped take our distance program up a notch and start building a tradition."

In the fall, Lautenslager finished eighth individually at the NCAA South Central Regional Cross Country Championships to help the Mavericks to a third-place team finish, the best result in school history. His placement was the best ever by a UTA athlete at the meet.

He also qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships (along with teammate Michael Guerrero) to become UTA's first NCAA participant since 1998. In addition, he was the individual champion at the Sun Belt Conference meet.

Lautenslager's status as one of the best to run at UTA is easy to see on paper. In addition to his 10,000m record, he also has the school standard in the 5,000m (14:17.74), making him the only male currently atop the school record book in any two outdoor individual events.

"He really has a chance to further cement his legacy by having some more outstanding performances the rest of the spring," Sauerhage said. "I'm going to enjoy the rest of the time I have with him."

Lautenslager will leave school as the school's all-time leader in the indoor 5,000 meters (14:07.30). Additionally, he has already won a pair of league titles in the outdoor 10,000 meters and owns conference crowns in both the indoor and outdoor 5000m.

In cross country, he is a two-time All-South Central Regional honoree and a four-time first-team all-conference selection. Not coincidentally, the Mavericks have claimed four conference cross country titles in his five years as a member of the program.

With his performances, Lautenslager has not only solidified himself a spot among the all-time UTA greats, he also ranks among the best in his own family. And that's not an easy feat.

Lautenslager's father, Greg, competed in four U.S. Olympic Trials in distance events before retiring in 1992, and held the 5,000m school record at Texas Tech for three decades.

His mother, the former Debra Elsmore, won New Zealand titles in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters and represented her country in five World Cross Country Championships and the 1987 Commonwealth Games. His younger brothers also are highly successful distance runners.

Craig, who was born in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, has lived since 2002 in New Zealand, where his dad serves as the Coach/Director of the National Academy of Distance Running.

On Friday, Lautenslager and a handful of his distance teammates are set to compete at the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays in Torrance, Calif., where his father will be in attendance. Sauerhage believes that he could witness something special when Lautenslager runs in the elite division of the 5000 meters at 10:20 p.m. (CT).

Lautenslager's personal-record in the event (13:52) was set a year ago at the Penn Relays while competing as an unattached athlete. He set the school record in the 5000m at the Mt. SAC Relays in 2014, and then broke his own mark at the same site in 2015.

"Craig has always performed well at big meets," Sauerhage said. "He takes advantage of the big opportunities. He's in great shape now and really ready to run. I'm anticipating a strong performance from him."

In addition to the Mt. SAC Relays, UTA will have athletes competing this weekend at the Texas Invitational in Austin.

--www.UTAMavs.com--