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May 31, 2007
Five Virginia track and field athletes were named to the All-East Region team following their performances at the East Regional meet, as announced by the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association. Regional runners-up Yemi Ayeni (discus) and Jan Foerster (steeplechase) were both named, as were Kellen Blassingame (400m), Erin Crawford (400IH) and Stephanie Garcia (steeplechase).
“I’m very proud of our All-East Region performers,” said Virginia head coach Randy Bungard. “To be in the top eight in the East Region is quite an accomplishment as this region is the largest, by far, with 110 men’s and 112 women’s track and field programs. Our All-East Region performers are in pretty good company.”
Ayeni took runner-up honors after breaking the 200-foot barrier with his first throw of the competition; he is the first athlete in school history to reach this mark and his throw ranks sixth nationally. Foerster’s run of 8:44.74 ranks third all-time at Virginia and 13th nationally in 2007.
Blassingame, who finished sixth at the East Regional meet, is the only person to compete in the East Regional final that did not receive a bid to the NCAA meet. The school record holder in the 400m, Blassingame ranks in the top 40 in the nation.
Crawford, who set the school record while earning All-American honors in 2006, is ranked 12th nationally in the intermediate hurdles. Garcia’s time of 10:15.83 earned her eighth at the regional meet and she ranks 19th nationally, third among true first-years.
The NCAA Championships will take place June 6-9 at Sacramento State in Sacramento, Calif.