June 6, 1999

Boise, Idaho--- On Saturday, June 5, 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 second National Championship of the meet and fourth career NCAA crown, by taking the title in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 16:09.51. Tollefson's time was a personal best and established a new Bronco Stadium record. With a title in the 5,000m on Saturday, she becomes the first Wildcat female ever to win NCAA titles in both the 3,000m and the 5,000m in the same outdoor season.

Tollefson stayed with the pack for most of the race on Saturday evening, before taking the lead with about 600 meters to go and opening up the lead in the last 400 meters. Leigh Daniel of Texas Tech finished in second place with a time of 16:12.72, while Katie McGregor of Michigan placed third in 16:15.75.

"I came to Boise looking to win one gold and I came away with two golds," said Tollefson. "I am really excited about winning both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. I feel very fortunate to have been able to run so well all week long. It was a great week, and the fans in Boise were a great group to run in front of."

In addition to titles in the 3,000 and 5,000m at these 1999 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Tollefson also won titles at the 1997 NCAA Cross Country Championships and in the 3,000m at the 1999 NCAA Indoor Championships. With her victory in the 5,000m on Saturday, she became the 14th Villanova women to capture an outdoor national championship and the fourth Wildcat female to win an NCAA title in the outdoor 5,000m. Tollefson is now a ten-time All-American.

Competing in the finals of the 1,500m on Saturday, Villanova junior Carmen Douma (Cambridge, Ontario/ Woodland Christian High School) finished in sixth place with a time of 4:24.59. With her sixth place finish, Douma becomes a five-time All-American.