Senior track and field standout Dan Santalla became Northwestern's first All-American by finishing fifth in the decathlon at the New Balance Nationals at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C.
Here's some of what Santalla had to say about his efforts:

• "To be an All-American, I basically feel like I'm on top of the world."
•  "It's amazing. It's not something you can put into words."
• "This is when you think about all those days you complained about workouts or said you didn't want to do them because you were tired."
• Santalla made that remark, then added all the hard work paid off.
• Santalla thanked his head coach Andy Campbell, who has been instrumental in his success.
• "My coach has been amazing."
• Santalla also had this to say about his performance.
• "It was an amazing feeling. You really find out what you're made of when you compete at that level."

Santalla went out to dinner with his parents and Campbell on Friday night, but his time in Greensboro is not over. He will compete in the 400-meter hurdles for the second time ever on Saturday. He will also watch senior teammate Annmarie Tuxbury run in the 2,000-meter steeplechase.

Look for more on Santalla and Tuxbury on Saturday evening.