RELEASE DATE: 6/23/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Distance Runners Sweep Mansfield Spring Athlete of the Year honors

Mansfield -- Chris Cummings (Mansfield/Mansfield) and Charity Walker (Troy/Home Schooled) were named the 2006 Mansfield University Spring Athletes of the Year. This is the record setting fifth Athlete of the Year honor for both Cummings and Walker.

Cummings, a junior, was named Athlete of the Year this spring, completing a sweep of the 2005-06 athletic year as he earned the Fall and Winter Athlete of the Year awards as well. Chris finished second in the 1500 at the NCAA Division II National Championships, garnering him his second All-American honor in the last two seasons. His school record performance of 3:47.27 in the 1500 was the fifth fastest time in the NCAA Division II this year. Chris won the 1500 meter championship this season at the PSAC Championships earning him All-PSAC honors as well. Cummings was named by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as the Division II East Region Track Athlete of the Year. Academically, Cummings earned Second Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors and was named to his second PSAC Top Ten of the year. He is an MU Presidential and a PSAC Scholar Athlete.

Charity Walker adds one final award to her repertoire with her fifth Athlete of the Year honor, the second of this year as she earned the Fall Athlete of the Year award as well. 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. She was also named to the PSAC Spring Top Ten. Charity is an MU Presidential and a PSAC Scholar Athlete