RELEASE DATE: 6/06/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mountaineer Men Sweep PSAC Athlete of the Year Honors in Track and Field

Lock Haven, PA -- Chris Cummings (Mansfield/Mansfield) was named by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) as the 2006 male Track Athlete of the Year for his outstanding performances on the track this season. Fellow Mountaineer, Jeremy Confer (Danville/Warrior Run), was named the male Field Athlete of the Year. Confer and Cummings are the first track and field athletes from Mansfield to earn PSAC Athlete of the Year honors. Their points at the National Championships combined to place Mansfield 23rd in Division II, higher than any other PSAC team.

Cummings, a junior, was named Athlete of the Year after finishing 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. 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 for being the highest National qualifier in the East region this year.

Senior Jeremy Confer came on strong when it counted this year, peaking at precisely the right time. Confer qualified for the NCAA DIvision II National Championships in the javelin with a throw of 202 feet 10 inches, good enough to finish fourth at the PSAC Championships. At the National Championships, Jeremy shocked the javelin world by throwing a personal best by 13 feet to land a throw of 215 feet 10 inches. That throw placed Jeremy fifth at the National Championships, earning him All-American honors. Confer was the highest placing field event athlete from the PSAC at the National Championships.