Six Philadelphia college track and field athletes won All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, IA. The highlight of the events for the locals was Sheila Reid of Villanova won the individual national championships in the 5,000 meter and the 1,500 meter run. Reid becomes the first women’s athlete to win both events in the same year. It was the fourth national championship, and ninth All-America honor for the Senior from Newmarket, Ontario.
Reid won the 5,000 meter event on Friday, June 10 breaking away in the last 200 meters to take the title. Reid ran the distance in 15:37.57. In addition to Reid Villanova’s Bogdana Mimic won All-America honors as she finished 11th in the 5,000 meter event turning in a time of 15:55.09. In the same race Penn Sophomore Leslie Kovach ran a 16:16.10 to finish in 18th place in the event. It was the second-best career time for Kovach who became the second outdoor All-American for Penn since 1992 when Chris Lundy won the honor.
Villanova Senior Matthew Gibney made a strong move down the stretch to finish fourth in the Men’s 1,500 meters. Gibney made a late move from 11th place to his finish in 3:44.38 to gain All-America status. The time was Gibney’s best of the season,
Temple Junior Travis Mahoney became the second All-America honoree for the Owls in two days as he turned in a time of 8:52.54 finishing in 11th place in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Mahoney won second-team All-America honors.
In the High Jump Penn Freshman Maalik Reynolds cleared 2.17 meters to tie for seventh place in the event. Reynolds became the first Men’s All-American for Penn since 2005 when Courtney Jaworski won honors in the 800 meter run.
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