2023 Wichita State graduate, Clayton Duchatschek, signed a professional contract with Minnesota Distance Elite, the runner announced Saturday on social media.

"I'm looking forward to continuing my progression in an area of my life that I've worked so hard to develop and joining a group of like-minded individuals," Duchatschek said. "I really believe that the structure of training and resources available to me under this program will help me to achieve my athletic goals."
 
The Washington, Mo. native ran for the Shockers from 2018-23, earning four all-conference honors and winning the American Athletic Conference steeplechase title in 2022. He also was named All-Region in cross country following the 2022 season and qualified to the NCAA West Preliminaries in the steeplechase in 2023.
 
"Wichita State was the perfect place for me to develop due to the great support system, flexibility of training, and ability to get in good meets when it counted," Duchatschek said. "If it weren't for those things, I would not be in the position I am and have the opportunity to join this team."
 
Duchatschek ended his Shocker career ranked second all-time in school history in the indoor 5,000 meters and third in the indoor 3,000 meters.
 
"For me, the most important part about Clayton continuing his running career and getting the chance to run for a club team is the fact that he still enjoys running, wants to be successful and has goals," Wichita State head cross country and distance coach Kirk Hunter said. "With the number of kids that have gone on professionally, like Kellyn (Taylor), Aliphine (Tuliamuk), Rebekah (Topham) and Tonya (Nero), it's really cool to see him be a part of this club, so I'm excited to see how it turns out for him and where his future leads."
 
Duchatschek will be training under head coach Chris Lundstrom, who has coached seven athletes to the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon.
 

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