RELEASE DATE: 5/16/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cummings Wins 5000 at NYC Qualifying Challenge

Chris Cummings continued his unbeaten streak in the 2006 outdoor season by winning the 5000 meter race Saturday night at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Cummings bested the field by over 20 seconds to finish in 14:55.89. Cummings has qualified and been accepted into the 1500 meter field at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Emporia, Kansas. He will compete in the 800 meter run this Friday night at Baldwin Wallace in Ohio.

Joining Cummings at the NYC Qualifying Challenge were a select group of Mountaineer track and field team members. Senior Jon Holtz, plagued by an ankle injury for much of the season, ran the 800 meters in 1:59.79, good enough for 20th place in the field.

Doug DeBenedetto and Bryan Falcone were the other members of the men's team that attended the meet. DeBenedetto suffered a severe groin pull and was unable to finish his race while Falcone won his heat of the 400 in 51.79, good enough for 27th place in the large field.

Katrina Brumfield highlighted the women's team finishes as she finished fourth in the high jump with a jump of 5-00.50.

Assistant coach Steph Cadwell turned in a personal best performance in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:18.24. She finished ninth overall.

Freshman sensation Marisa Fronczkiewicz continued to impress as she ran a personal best 59.78 seconds in the 400, good enough for 13th place.

Also running in the meet was Amanda Fedish. Fedish, who has been plagued by a leg injury since the beginning of the indoor season, ran the 100 meters in 13.47, the 19th fastest time in prelims.

The Mountaineer's will send Cummings, Holtz, Jeremy Confer, Charity Walker, Fronczkiewicz, Brumfield, and Dann to the Baldwin Wallace Twilight meet in Ohio this Friday night for the conclusion of the regular season.

Cummings, Confer, and Walker will continue on to the NCAA National Championships May 25-28 in Emporia Kansas.