June 5, 1999

Boise, Idaho--- On Friday, June 4, at the 1999 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho, Villanova University senior Carrie Tollefson (Dawson, Minn./ Dawson High School) won her third career National Championship by taking home the title in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 9:26.51. Tollefson's first career NCAA Championship was an individual cross country title in 1997, while the second came in the 3,000m at the indoor championship's in 1999. She was also the top finisher for the Wildcats when they won the NCAA cross country team title this past fall as well. With her victory in the 3,000m on Friday, Tollefson becomes a nine-time All-American.

Tollefson took the lead three laps into Friday's race and led the rest of the way, crossing the finish line in 9:26.51. Kara Wheeler from the University of Colorado finished second in a time of 9:29.89, while Maria-Elena Calle of Virginia Commonwealth placed third with a time of 9:33.04.

Tollefson's title ranks as the seventh time a Villanova female has won the 3,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and the 13th time a Wildcat female has taken an individual outdoor title at the NCAA Championships. The last Wildcat to win a 3,000m national title was Nnenna Lynch in 1992. Other former Wildcats to win the 3,000m include Vicki Huber, who won the award in 1987-89, and Sonia O'Sullivan, who took the title in 1990-91.

In the semifinals of the 100m hurdles on Friday, Villanova sophomore Charmaine Walker (Plainfield, N.J./ Plainfield High School) placed seventh in her heat with a season-best time of 13.24. She did not advance to Saturday's 100 m hurdle finals. Only the top four in each of Friday's semifinal heats advanced.

Tollefson will step back onto the track on Saturday, June 5, to compete in the 5,000m run beginning at 8:45 p.m. MST. Villanova junior Carmen Douma (Cambridge, Ontario/ Woodland Christian High School) will run on Saturday as well, in the 1,500m beginning at 7:30 p.m. MST.