Beth McCubbin earned her fourth All-American honor this year with her second-place finish in the 800m.
Five More All-Americans for ERAU on Saturday, 10 Total at Outdoor Nationals
ERAU Athletics
ST. LOUS, Mo. - Before 2008, an ERAU track and field athlete had garnered All-American status four times in the program's three years of existence. In 2008, 17 Embry-Riddle student-athletes earned the honors including 10 All-Americans at the 2008 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
After five individuals captured the honor on Friday, the ERAU total doubled on Saturday with top-six performances by Beth McCubbin and the women's 4x100m relay.
McCubbin, who brought home the first ERAU track and field national championship after her 1000m race at indoor nationals, raced in the 800m finals on Saturday and finished second. The junior was the No. 4 seed to begin the race, sat back during the first 300m, turned on the gas to lead the race for the following 400m but Simon Fraser's Jessica Smith edged McCubbin for the title. McCubbin, a 2008 outdoor All-American with the women's 4x800m squad, completed the race in 2:09.54, 1.15 seconds behind Smith.
Alexis Williams, Nathalie Hildingsson, Toshiba Cobb and Keshia Richardson combined for the women's 4x100m relay on Saturday and finished in fifth place with a time of 47.67. Wayland Baptist captured the title in 46.21 seconds. The ERAU squad includes a junior, a sophomore and two freshmen - all intending to return to the team in 2008.
Williams also raced in the semifinals of the 200m on Saturday and finished the event in 25.17. The freshman did not advance to the finals but will return to her native Daytona Beach with her All-American honors in both the 4x100m relay and in the 100m.
Stuart Patterson was the lone Eagle that had to wait for Saturday to make his debut at the 2008 nationals. Beginning at 6 a.m. CT, the junior began his competition in the marathon and over two and a half hours later completed the race. Patterson finished in seventh place with a time of 2:30:49.0, just 27 seconds short of All-American status. Patterson was in 20th place at the third mile, moved to fourth place during the 19th mile and advanced to third during miles 20-23 but was unable to hold his spot during the final two miles.