Villanova University

May 4, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Senior Frances Koons was named the Most Outstanding Track Athlete of the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships, which concluded on Sunday afternoon at the Jumbo Elliot Track in Villanova, Pa.

Koons earned two conference titles to her name on Sunday. The first came in the 1,500m where she took command of the race to run a regional qualifying time of 4:19.41.

Koons' second title came as she surged ahead in the 5,000 and maintained a strong lead throughout the race. She crossed the finish line in a regional qualifying time of 16:30.13, and now has seven BIG EAST titles to her name.

Senior Arusha McKenzie gave Villanova another BIG EAST crown as she raced to a 2:07.21 finish in the 800m, also a regional qualifying time. McKenzie gave the Wildcats 10 team points. Senior Akilah Vargas finished fifth picking up four points for Villanova as she crossed the finish line in 2:10.81.

The Wildcats had a good finish in the 400m hurdles. Freshman Kristen Mahon and junior Jordan Sarruda finished fourth and fifth in the event respectively, scoring points for Villanova. Mahon ran 1:00.59, while Sarruda recorded a time of 1:01.92.

Sophomore Makalia Griffith ran the 400m dash in 55.97, scoring points for Villanova.

The 4x800 relay team of junior Emily McMillian, freshman Alison Smith, Sarruda and Vargas raced to a second place finish recording a combined time of 8:57.54. The finish earned eight points for the Wildcats.

Villanova was also successful in the 4x400m relay. Freshman Jessona McDonald, Mahon, McKenzie and Griffith ran 3:39.96 to come in third place and qualify to NCAA Regionals.

The Wildcats notched a fifth place team finish. Louisville claimed the 2008 team title, while Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Connecticut finished in the top four.