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Schneble Earns All-American Honors; Finishes Eighth in NCAA 5,000 6/12/2004 AUSTIN, Texas – Vanderbilt sophomore Erika Schneble earned All-America recognition for the first time Saturday, finishing eighth in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Schneble, a native of Hendersonville, N.C., ran the 5,000 in 16:46.45. The event, staged in warm, humid conditions., was captured by pre-favorite Kim Smith of Providence in 15:48.86. Vanderbilt distance coach Jim Spivey said Schneble, who missed some training in recent weeks due to a foot ailment, entered the race looking to finish among the top eight. “That was the benchmark, not just this meet, but also this year. Erika really wanted to end this season as an All-American,” Spivey said moments after the race. “She achieved what she set out to accomplishment. It’s pretty cool stuff and I’m extremely proud of her right now.” Schneble, the sixth seeded runner, ran behind Smith in a second pack for the the first mile. In the second mile, a group of six runners broke away from Schneble and Boston College senior Jennifer Kramer. Kramer eventually claimed seventh, finishing six seconds ahead of Schneble. North Carolina State junior Renee Gunning finished ninth, three seconds behind Schneble. Schneble is the second Commodore to earn All-America status at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. On Thursday, junior Josie Hahn finished sixth in the heptathlon, her second consecutive top eight finish at the NCAA outdoor meet. For Schneble, the All-American recognition caps a superb season. After a slow start, Schneble closed the cross country season as an NCAA all-regional selection, then caught fire in the indoor track season, setting a team record at 5,000 meters and finishing second at the SEC Indoor Championships. Schneble continued her excellent form through the outdoor campaign, twice breaking the team record at 5,000 meters, becoming the first Commodore to win an individual event at the prestigious Drake Relays, and winning the SEC 5,000 championship. Two weeks before the SEC outdoor meet, Schneble was at her best. Competing at the Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., Schneble smashed the Vanderbilt 5,000-meter record with a 16:08.18 performance. That effort, more than a minute off her 5,000-meter best in 2003, was the last of 12 consecutive races that Schneble eclipsed personal bests. |
