All-East junior Kristyn Shiring (Stafford, VA) has been having a career season after hitting two NCAA Provisional marks (indoor 5,000m and outdoor 10,000m) and could surprise with a win in the 5,000m. However she will face tough competition from not just the field but also All-East teammate Julia Cathcart (Starkville, MS) who also set an NCAA Provisional standard in the indoor 5,000m. All-East senior Jackie Kosakowski (Sauquoit, NY) is a strong contender for the crown in the 3,000m steeplechase after finishing third the past two seasons and breaking the NCAA provisional standard in the indoor 5,000m earlier this year as All-East sophomore Heather Stevenson (East Lyme, CT), 2004's runner-up in the event, is another strong contender for the title.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA - William and Mary women's track and field will be aiming for its fifth-consecutive conference title this weekend as it contests the CAA Championship April 22-23 in Fairfax, VA, at George Mason University. The Tribe, which has won five CAA crowns since 1999, four-peated as champion in 2004 on the strength of six individual titlists and 16 All-CAA performances. Five of those champions will return to defend their crowns as they will be joined by three former conference titlists seeking to reclaim the gold. Seniors Cassidy Harris (Geneva, IL) and Charlotte LaRoche (Centreville, VA) each won their second CAA crowns in 2004 as Harris won the shot for the second-straight season while LaRoche reclaimed the title in the pole vault after winning the event in 2002. Two freshmen impressed by capturing top honors at last season's CAAs as sophomore Jen Showker (Harrisonburg, VA) won in her CAA debut in the discus and sophomore Meghan Bishop (Blue Bell, PA) raced to the win the 1,500m. Junior Sarah McHale (Winchester, VA) surprised the field with her win in the heptathlon at the 2004 CAAs in only her second career attempt at the event, and with more seasoning under her belt she should mount a strong title defense but will face strong competition from teammates Bonnie Meekins (Herndon, VA) and Brenna Blevins (Pulaski, VA). 2002 CAA Shot Put Champion Ayanna Jones (Richmond, VA) makes her return to the Championships after redshiritng the outdoor season in 2004 and will be a threat across the throwing events. She enters the meet having set a school record in the shot with an NCAA Regional-qualifying throw of 48'6" just a few weeks ago. Former CAA Champions Lauren Heron (Manlius, NY) [2003 1,500m) and Kara Snyder (Clinton, NJ) [2003 100m hurdles] will look to recapture their championship form and return to the top of the podium.