FAYETTEVILLE, Ar. - Michael Courtney became the first Sam Houston student-athlete to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Division I Indoor National Track and Field Championships by finishing fourth in the 400 meter dash Saturday night.

Courtney posted a time of 45.96 to finish behind event champion Torrin Lawrence of Georgia (45.23), runner-up Kirani James of Alabama (45.63) and third place Tony McQuay of Florida (45.74).

The Bearkat senior from El Paso finished ahead of two runners from Texas A&M and competitors from North Carolina and Florida.

Courtney earned his spot in the finals by posting the second fastest time in the prelims Friday night. Courtney ran 46.07, second only to Torrin Lawrence of the University of Georgia who was two-hundreds of a second faster at 46.05. Courtney won his heat, finishing just ahead of Calvin Smith of Florida (46.15).

Courtney is the first Sam Houston men's athlete to compete in the NCAA Indoor National Track and Field championships.

Courtney ranked 12th in the final regular season NCAA Division I rankings in the 400 meters with a time of 46.46. A total of 16 runners competed in the event. Courtney won the 2010 Southland Conference indoor 400 with a mark of 48.00.

He is an 10-time Southland Conference champion, winning the outdoor 400 meters three times, the indoor twice and running on five Southland first place relays.

"This is just a tremendous way for Michael to finish his Bearkat career," Sam Houston head coach David Self said. "He has completed his outdoor eligibility and a strong performance on a national stage would be a great way to go out."