EUGENE, Ore. – Wisconsin men's track and field's Joe Hardy began the outdoor season believing that the 1500 meters would be his strongest event.

But the junior ended his campaign by competing in the 5000 meters at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he finished 15th on Friday at Hayward Field to earn second-team All-America honors.

"The whole year was oriented to training in the 1500 meters," Hardy said. "I had the 5000-meter qualifier early in the year so then I started to work on the 1500 meters and get here with that. There were a couple of tough races where I wasn't able to get into finals of various meets, but I was able to make it here in the 5K."

"I think going out and competing in this race and being there with about 500 meters to go showed me that while I'm not at the peak, but I am closer to the peak than I thought I was."

 "That race was beyond pedestrian and when that happens, everyone has a shot," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "Early on, Joe did a good job relaxing and going with the flow. Midway through the race, he got a little antsy and made a few moves that were unnecessary. It came down to a one-mile race, which was in Joe's wheelhouse, but at that stage everyone can run a fast mile and Joe just couldn't respond during the last 800 meters."

A native of Seattle, Washington, Hardy started the race towards the front and remained in the top-10 throughout the first 3000 meters.

Hardy was able to remain in the lead pack with until second-to-last lap, but ultimately took 15th in 14 minutes, 43.50 seconds to snare his first career All-America honors.

"My aim was to get out to the front," Hardy said. "It was a little more difficult than it was at regionals. I struggled with catching up with all of the moves that were made and I spent a lot of energy on doing that.

"Overall I was happy that I got to race and I was able to put it all out there."

Hardy now shifts his attention to his senior season as he will be one of four seniors among the distance crew.

"We're a young team heading into next year, but we are in a very good place," Hardy said. "I can't wait to get out there and work and bust our butts off and work to winning a national championship in the next couple years."

Wisconsin wraps up the NCAA championships on Saturday as a pair of Badgers will be in action. Emma Haugen will compete at 5 p.m. CT in the women's high jump while Sarah Disanza will run in the 5000 meters at 7:25 p.m. Fans can watch Haugen on ESPN3 while Disanza's race will be shown live on ESPN.