May 4, 2006

Providence, R.I. - Wildcat senior Marina Muncan was recognized by the BIG EAST conference as Villanova's 2005-06 women's BIG EAST/Aeropostale Scholar-Athlete.

Muncan, a ten-time All-American, most recently ran the anchor leg of Villanova's winning DMR team at the Penn Relays. Her time of 4:31.85 represented a career-best anchor split and propelled `Nova to its 28th Penn Relays crown and first DMR title since 1997. She also won the 1500m meet title at the Sea Rays Relays and was part of a 4x1500m relay team that finished second at the Penn Relays.

She was named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mid-Atlantic Division I Track Athlete of the Year in 2006 after winning two indoor BIG EAST titles in the 1000m and the mile events. Muncan placed fifth in the indoor NCAA mile with a time of 4:42.13. A member of the 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Cross Country team, she will graduate with a degree in Italian Language and Literature.