RELEASE DATE: 6/14/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield Places Three Athletes on PSAC Spring Top Ten

Three Mansfield University athletes were named to the Spring Top Ten by the PSAC Sports Information Directors. Chris Cummings and Charity Walker from Track and Field were named to the Top Ten again, while Baseball player Ryan Wyland earns his first Top Ten award.

The Top Ten Awards, selected by the PSAC’s sports information directors, recognize ten student-athletes throughout the conference who distinguish themselves in the classroom, as well as in the arena of competition. The conference designates Top Ten Award winners after each of the sports seasons: fall, winter and spring.

To be a candidate for the Top Ten Awards, a student-athlete must have achieved a minimum of a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and must be a starter or key reserve with legitimate athletic credentials.

Mansfield has never had three athletes selected to the top ten in one season. Three of the ten athletes from the spring voting came from Mansfield, while Walker and Cummings each earned Top Ten honors earlier in the year. Walker was named to the Fall Top Ten and Cummings was named to the Winter Top Ten.

Cummings earned Top Ten honors for his work in the classroom and on the track this season. The junior carries above a 3.6 grade point average while dual-majoring in Physics and Math. On the track, Cummings was the PSAC Champion in the 1500 this season, and the National runner-up in the same event. He earned All-American honors on the track after being voted the East Region Track Athlete of the Year by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Chris was also named to ESPN The Magazine's Second Team Academic All-District team. Most recently, Cummings was named the PSAC Male Track Athlete of the Year.

Walker ended her career at Mansfield with a 3.99 grade point average graduating with a degree in Environmental Biology. On the track, she set school records this season in the 3000 meter steeplechase and 5000 meter run. She provisionally qualified for the National Championships in the steeplechase, 5000, and 10000. She ran the steeplechase at the National  Championships. Charity garnered All-PSAC honors with her third place finish in the 5000 at the PSAC Championships. Walker was named to ESPN The Magazine's First Team Academic All-District team, making her eligible for Academic All-American voting.

Wyland, who transferred to Mansfield this year, finished his first academic year with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. On the field, he led the Mountaineers into the PSAC playoffs. Wyland won All-Region First Team honors at utility this season. He started in all 55 games playing third base, second base, outfield and pitching. Wyland had a PSAC best 83 hits on the season including 15 doubles, a triple and seven homeruns. He also led the PSAC in runs scored (60) while driving in 42 runners and stealing 14 bases in 18 attempts. Wyland’s .403 batting average with fifth best in the PSAC and led the Mountaineers. He also was a solid performer on the mound, appearing in 14 games and posting a 4-4 overall record. In 38.1 innings worked he struck out 31 batters.