RELEASE DATE: 05/25/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Chris Cummings Qualifies for Finals -- Charity Walker Ends Outstanding Career at Mansfield

Chris Cummings qualified for the finals of the 1500 meter run on Thursday evening when he finished second in his heat. To advance to the finals, a runner must finish in the top four of their heat, or have one of the next three fastest times. Cummings finished second in his heat in a time of 3:55.02, nearly 10 seconds slower than his qualifying mark.

The times were slow due to all competitors running tactically in hopes of making the finals," said head coach Mike Rohl. "Chris was relaxed and ran a smart and tactical race. He' has put himself right where he needs to be for the finals."

Cummings will advance to the finals of the 1500 meter run on Saturday evening at 6:00pm where he will face 11 other runners in hopes of earning All-American honors. Joining Cummings will be fellow PSAC athletes Richard Hansloven and John Somers (pictured here) of Shippensburg University. Cummings has the second fastest qualifying mark going into the finals while Somers (right) has the fifth and Hansloven has the 12th and final spot. The top eight finishers in the finals on Saturday evening will earn All-American honors.

Thursday evening marked the last time Charity Walker will run in a Mansfield University uniform as she competed in preliminary trials for the 3000 meter steeplechase. Walker finished seventh in her heat with a time of 11:31.78, missing qualifying for the finals by just under four seconds. Her National qualifying mark of 11:05.81, the Mansfield school record, would have placed her second overall in the preliminary round as 11:11 was the second fastest time run in the prelims.

Charity leaves Mansfield University as the the proud owner of eight individual school records, including the 1500, mile, 3000, and 5000 meter runs for indoor track and the steeplechase, 3000, 5000, and 10000 meter runs outdoor.

What she has accomplished for the women's running program at Mansfield University will never be forgotten. "She truly was a trailblazer for our program," said Rohl. "We wouldn't be where we are right now without everything Charity has done for this program."

Jeremy Confer will throw the javelin Saturday morning at 11:30 and Cummings will run the 1500 meter finals Saturday evening at 6:00. For immediate results, visit the results page here, or check back to the Mountie sports homepage Saturday evening.