STATESBORO, Ga..--Shannon Wommack claimed the 15th Southern Conference championship of her career, winning the 1500 meter run in record time on the final day of the 2006 SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Wommack's time of 4:22.95 bettered the SoCon record by more than a second and the UTC record by almost four seconds. Wommack's time was almost five seconds faster than the NCAA Regional qualifying standard. Wommack is now qualified in both the 1500m and 3000m Steeplechase. She is also qualified for the NCAA National Championships in the 10,000 meters.
The title was Wommack's second of the weekend, having claimed the 3000m Steeplechase championship the day before. For her efforts, Wommack was named the SoCon's Most Outstanding Track Performer for the second consecutive year. Wommack also was honored with the SoCon's top running honor in both the indoor track and cross country seasons, joining former teammate Steven Kocsis as the only runners in SoCon history to win all three awards in one year. The Most Outstanding Performer award was the ninth of Wommack's career.
"The Southern Conference has not seen anyone like Shannon in a long time," said Chattanooga head coach Bill Gautier. "We have a strong track tradition at Chattanooga and now Shannon is a big part of that tradition."
Lanni Marchant used a record-breaking performance of her own to claim the 5000m crown and lead a Chattanooga sweep of the event. Marchant's time of 16:45.22 not only broke a 16-year old SoCon standard; it was almost 45 seconds faster than the second-place finisher-teammate Sabrina Lefort. Marchant's time qualifies her for the NCAA Regional meet in the event. Nettie Halcomb was third to the tape, giving the Lady Mocs the three All-Conference honors in the event.
"Lanni ran with a mission today," said Gautier. "She is going to be a great leader for this team next year, just as Shannon has been for us."
Ashley Meagher claimed All-Conference honors in the 800m by virtue of her second place finish. Alexine Crutchfield was third in the 400m dash to earn an All-Conference nod.
The Lady Mocs finished fourth in the team standings, the highest finish by a team not competing in the field events.
On the men's side, Colin Sullivan won the 5000m title with a personal record time of 14:42.18. Ian Mayne was third, eight seconds back.
"Colin ran a great race today, I couldn't be prouder" remarked Gautier. "And Ian, what more can you say about Ian? He is a special athlete and a special person."
Michael Mentz was third in the 1500m to claim All-Conference honors in his first SoCon outdoor championships. Jeff Taylor was fourth, narrowly missing an All-Conference nod. Taylor was also seventh in the 10,000 meter run.
"Michael Mentz really stepped up today," said head coach Bill Gautier. "I am really pleased with his performance."
Freshman Jordan Longstreth and Michael Billingsley were sixth and seventh, respectively in the 800 meters, both scoring points for the Mocs. The duo also combined with Michael Mentz and Linas Salkauskas to finish sixth in the 4X400 relay.
The Mocs finished sixth in the team standings, seven points behind fifth place Furman.
The track teams will be back in action for one more meet prior to the NCAA Regionals, competing in Georgia Tech's Last Chance Meet on May 13.
2006 Women's Outdoor All-Conference Performers
Alexine Crutchfield
3. 400 meter dash - 57.29
Ellen Davis
3. 10,000 meter run - 38:29.37
Nettie Halcomb
3. 5000 meter run - 17:35.59
Sabrina Lefort
2. 3000 meter Steeplechase - 10:40.56 NCAA Regional Qualifying Time
2. 5000 meter run - 17:29.94
Lanni Marchant
1. 5000 meter run - 16:45.22 SoCon Record, NCAA Regional Qualifying Time
Ashley Meagher
2. 800 meter run - 2:12.05
Shannon Wommack
1. 1500 meter run - 4:22.95 SoCon Record, UTC Record, NCAA Regional Qualifying Time
1. 3000 meter Steeplechase - 10:07.54 SoCon Record, NCAA Regional Qualifying Time
2006 Men's Outdoor All-Conference Performers
Ian Mayne
2. 3000 meter Steeplechase - 9:10.13
3. 5000 meter run - 14:50.19
Michael Mentz
3. 1500 meter run - 3:59.21
Linas Salkauskas
3. 3000 meter Steeplechase - 9:32.31
Colin Sullivan
1. 5000 meter run - 14:42.18
Shannon Wommack
2006 Outdoor Track Most Outstanding
2006 Indoor Track Most Outstanding
2005 Cross Country Runner-of-the-Year
2005 Outdoor Track Most Outstanding
2004 Indoor Track Most Outstanding
2004 Cross Country Runner-of-the-Year
2003 Indoor Track Most Outstanding
2002 Indoor Track Most Outstanding
2002 Cross Country Runner-of-the-Year
