March 9, 1999

INDIANAPOLIS - This past weekend, March 5-6, senior Carrie Tollefson,(Sr., Dawson, Minn.), sophomore Charmaine Walker (So., Plainfield, N.J.) and freshman Sarah-Vance Goodman (Fr., Asheville, N.C.) represented Villanova at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships held at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind.

It was an outstanding weekend for the Villanova trio, as Tollefson captured the 3,000 meter run, while Walker and Vance Goodman both earned All-American honors. Tollefson becomes the 15th Villanova woman to win an NCAA indoor title and the fifth to win the 3,000 meter indoor championship. After missing last year's indoor season due to injury, Tollefson returned to the track in fine fashion this season winning the 3,000 meters in a career-best time of 9:15.05. After staying with the pack for the first 10 laps,

Tollefson took command of the race over the final two laps and won the race by 15 meters. Amy Yoder of Arkansas finished second in 9:17.83.

"I took a couple of glances over my shoulder during the last lap," Tollefson said. "I know that's a sin in running, but I wanted to finish with some distance between myself and the rest of the group." What made Tollefson's victory so impressive was how she executed her game plan. Tollefson ran faster as the race went on, recording negative splits of 3:10 the first 1,000 meters, 3:06 in the second 1,000 meters and then running 2:58 over the final 1,000 meters.

"I usually do not run negative splits," said Tollefson. "Ever since my injury, I have become a different runner. This was a big win for my head, a real confidence booster."

Tollefson's victory is the second national championship of her outstanding Wildcat career. In 1997, the eight-time All-American earned the NCAA individual cross country title.

In the 60 meter hurdles, Walker ran 8.24 in the trials to advance to the finals. Her time was fifth best in the preliminaries. In the finals, Walker ran an identical time of 8.24 to place sixth and garner All-American distinction for the second time in her young career.

Only a freshman, Goodman continued to impress at the NCAA indoor championships. The Asheville, N.C, native ran a personal best 16:12.94 to finish seventh in the 5,000 meter run. Her previous best time of 16:25.01 was recorded at the Big East Championships on Feb. 21.

For her efforts, Goodman achieves All-American status for the second straight time. This past fall, she ran to an All-American 12th place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

NCAA Indoor Championships
March 5-6, 1999 RCA Dome Indianapolis, Ind.

Women's team scores: 1. Texas 61, 2. LSU 57, 3. SMU 25 , 4. Florida 24 4. Baylor 24 6. BYU 23, 6. Pittsburgh 23, 8. Wisconsin 22, 8. UCLA 22, 10.North Carolina 21, 11. VILLANOVA 15

Villanova Women's Results

3,000 METER RUN
1. Carrie Tollefson, Villanova 9:15.05
2. Amy Yoder, Arkansas 9:17.83
3. Sharolyn Shields, BYU 9:18.15
4. Maggie Chan, BYU 9:19.28
5. Jenelle Deatherage, Wisconsin 9:20.12
6. Erica Palmer, Wisconsin 9:21.65
7. Kara Wheeler, Colorado 9:23.45
8. Julia Stamps, Stanford 9:26.27
9. Collette Liss, Valparaiso 9:27.69
10. Katie McGregor, Michigan 9:30.50

5,000 METER RUN
1. Leigh Daniel, Texas Tech 16:01.11
2. Erica Palmer, Wisconsin 16:03.24
3. Karin Ernstrom, Baylor 16:03.76
4. Sarah Dupre, Providence 16:07.34
5. Emily Nay, BYU 16:09.41
6. Joanna Deeter, Notre Dame 16:10.16
7. Sarah-Vance Goodman, Villanova 16:12.94
8. Sherri Smith, Baylor 16:13.36
9. Tara Rohatinsky, BYU 16:20.92
10. Tara Chaplin, Arizona 16:25.2560

METER HURDLES
1. Joyce Bates, LSU 8.02
2. Andria King, Georgia Tech 8.03
3. Yolanda McCray, Miami 8.10
4. Selena Lewis, LSU 8.14
5. Vonette Dixon, Auburn 8.16
6. Charmaine Walker, Villanova 8.24
7. Brandit Copper, Alabama 8.31
8. Nicole Hoxie, Texas DQ