FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Justen Johnson and Brenae Edwards lead large contingent of Mountaineers at PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championship this Saturday and Sunday at Edinboro

MANSFIELD – Senior Justen Johnson is the early favorite in the 400 meters and graduate student Brenae Edwards will attempt to repeat her championship performance in the 5000 meters at the 2011-12 PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championship at Edinboro University this Saturday and Sunday.

Johnson and Edwards will be just two of 20 Mountaineers who qualified to compete at the conference championship.

Johnson has had a record-setting indoor season breaking the school records in the 60, 200, 400 and 500 meters. His time of 47.72 is the fastest time of any runner in the PSAC this season and 10th fastest time in the nation, making him a prerace favorite in the event. Johnson will also be participating in the 4x400 relay.

Edwards will attempt to close out her stellar career by repeating as PSAC Champion in the 5000 meters after becoming the first female runner in school history to win a conference title by finishing first in the event last year. Edwards, who went on to earn All-American recognition in the event by placing 7th at the NCAA Division II Championship, currently has the fastest time in the conference this season in the 5000 at 17:10.18. She will also run in the 3000 meters on Sunday.

Other strong contenders for conference honors are junior Mike Robinson and freshman sensation Olivia Lopes.

Robinson, who has recorded the fifth fastest mile (4:14.02) in the PSAC this season, is also qualified in the 800 meters and the 4x800 relay. Lopes, who set the school records in the 60 and 300 meters this season, holds the seventh fastest time in the 60 meters in the conference (7.86), is also qualified in the 200 meters.

Kristy Scordino qualified in the mile run and the 800 while school-record holder Alicia Edkin will vie for conference honors in the weight throw. Kevin Cusworth will compete in the mile and possibly two relays while Tyler Savarese earned a place in the field in the pole vault (13-9.25).

Running in assorted relay events are Alex Beard (4x800/DMR); Alex Bock (4x400/DMR); Maxwell Lalwani (4x400); William Mullen (DMR); Kait Chegwidden (DMR/4x400/4/800); Susan Learn (DMR/4x4004x800); Bethany Wigfield (DMR/4x400/4x800); Kristen Von Bevern (DMR/4x400/4x800) and Glendon Zimmerman.

Bob McCoy, who also is a member of the MU Band, qualified in the 400 but will return to campus for a performance. He will compete at the Championship in the DMR and 4x400 relays. Jess Scordino qualified in both the 5000 and 3000 but will be forced to miss the meet.