SLIPPERY ROCK — The wait was just too long for Ryan Thompson.

He made his Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and Atlantic Region competitors pay for it.

The Slippery Rock High School graduate and Slippery Rock University senior distance runner qualified for NCAA Division II nationals for the first time this indoor season. Thompson placed 12th in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday after breaking the PSAC mile indoor record earlier this season by posting a time of four minutes, 5.72 seconds.

That time was best in the Atlantic Region this season, as was his 8:27 time in the 3,000 meters. Thompson also anchored The Rock’s distance medley relay team to a 10:14, second fastest time in the region.

Thompson’s 12th-place finish at nationals was good enough for second team All-American. He ran a 4:14.50 and was in the slower heat with no one pushing him.

“That’s the way it goes at these championship races sometimes,” Rock track and field coach John Papa said. “If Ryan was in that first heat, it would have suited his racing style much better.

“Ryan worked tremendously hard in the offseason and has put together one of the best indoor seasons for any runner in SRU history.”

That wait had a lot to do with it.

A cross country, indoor and outdoor runner at SRU, Thompson could not compete in cross country last fall because he was out of eligibility. He is in his final year of eligibility for indoor and outdoor track.

“The lack of competition last fall definitely motivated me for indoor season,” Thompson said. “I didn’t run against anybody from May through January. I wasn’t used to that.”

Papa figures the break last fall did Thompson a lot of good.

“When you’re running in all three seasons like that, all of the training and races ... There is a lot of mental fatigue,” he said. “Ryan came into this indoor season fresh and ready to go.

“There’s also the urgency and finality of that senior year. Athletes begin to realize, I’m going to be done. It’s over. If I have something left to prove, I better do it now.”

Thompson has certainly done that.

He was named the Most Outstanding Athlete of the PSAC Championships. He followed that up by receiving the Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year award.

Always stellar in the 1,600 meters, Thompson took on the 3,000 as a regular event for the first time this indoor season.

“I ran the 800 in high school because I had more speed back then,” he said. “I figured running the 3,000 would give me some good base work for the spring. It’s been a good fit for me.”

Papa emphasized that SRU’s indoor season is geared toward getting its athletes to peak in the spring.

“That’s why we only do a few meets during indoor,” he said. “We don’t want to wear anybody out. But Ryan has really come on over the past six months.

“He’s taken a more serious look at himself and what he’s capable of as an athlete.”

Thompson runs 70 to 75 miles per week while training during the fall. He trims that back to 50 to 60 miles per week during track season “because the team does speed workouts then as well.”

His goal at nationals was to become a first team All-American, which meant placing among the top eight in an event.

His goals this spring include breaking the SRU record of 3:50 in the 1,500 meters and the PSAC record of 3:45.

“I ran a 3:52 three times last year. I just couldn’t get that record,” Thompson said. “This year, I want the school and league record.

“The track program (at SRU) has always been so solid. I came here because Coach Papa has put together so many productive seasons in the past. I wanted to be part of that.

“He always talks about elevating your expectations, yearn to do more than you think you can do. I did that this year,” Thompson added.

And after this spring, when he obtains his degree in safety management, he won’t be done running.

“I’ll find new people to run with, join a track club,” Thompson said. “It would be an accomplishment to run the mile in less than four minutes. I’d like to do that.”