RELEASE DATE: 05/16/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Chris Cummings, Jeremy Confer, Charity Walker All Earn Birth at NCAA Division II National Championships

The official accepted lists for the NCAA Division II National Championships were posted today. Three members of the Mountaineer track and field team were accepted and will travel to Emporia, Kansas next week to compete in the four day meet.

Junior standout Chris Cummings was accepted in the 1500 meter run, an event in which he is currently ranked fourth in the Nation. Cummings will look to earn All-American honors for the second straight season after earning his first All-American honors during the winter season. Cummings will be joined by two runners from Shippensburg University, both of which are ranked in the top eight in the Nation.

Cummings (left) out-kicks Shippensburg's Richard Hansloven

and John Somers at PSAC's - All three are accepted in the 1500.

Senior javelin thrower Jeremy Confer achieved a lifelong goal by being accepted into the field of throwers at the national meet. Confer is the 11th accepted thrower in the 16 member field with his school record throw of 202 feet 10 inches. He will be joined by a strong contingent of PSAC throwers as four other members of the PSAC attempt to bring All-American honors to Pennsylvania.

Charity (Learn) Walker will end her outstanding career as a participant in the National Championships in the 3000  meter steeplechase. Walker, who set the school record earlier this year, is the 13th accepted qualifier in the 16 woman field. Walker will be joined by Kelly Richards of Edinboro who currently ranks third in the Nation.

Rachel Hall  would have been accepted in the steeplechase as well, but declined a declaration as she will be attending a trip to Ghana during the National meet. Nicole Dann narrowly missed a spot in the final field, missing by less than five seconds. Both Dann and Hall will return for their senior season's next year.

The National Championships begin Thursday May 25th and continue through Sunday the 28th. For information and results, check back here at www.gomounties.com during the Championships.