June 2, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Senior Bulldog distance runner Lauren Blankenship earned NCAA All-Mideast Region honors for her seventh-place finish at the NCAA Regional on Friday in the 5,000-meter race, it was announced Monday by the U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association.

Blankenship earned seventh place in the event on Friday, May 30, with a time of 16.42.98. The Bulldogs holds the school-record in the event (16:03.22) while also claiming the school record for the 10,000 meters (35:28.05), the 3,000 meters (10:16.61) and a share of the 4x800-meter relay, 4x1500-meter relay and distance medley relay records.

She is an NCAA All-American track, a three-time NCAA qualifier in the 5,000 meters and 2007's OVC Track Athlete of the Year and well as 2008's Track Athlete of the OVC Championships. She is also a three-time OVC Cross Country Champion and Runner of the Year, a two-time NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier and she earned her first All-America status at the NCAA Cross Country Championship this November.