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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NATIONAL CHAMPION!! Brenae Edwards Wins 10,000m to Become First National Champion in Mansfield University History

PUEBLO, Colo. – Brenae Edwards won the 10,000m run in convincing fashion at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships to become the first National Champion in Mansfield University history Thursday night in Pueblo, Colo. Jess Scordino finished sixth overall in the 10,000m as the duo earned All-American honors.

Edwards came away with a commanding victory, finishing with a time of 35:21.25 which was almost a minute faster than the second place time of 36:12.52 by Runa Falch of Augustana (S.D.). Falch entered the race with the fastest time in the field with Edwards holding the second-best time.

Scordino, who set the pace for much of the race, earned her first outdoor track and field All-American honor with a sixth place finish at 36:37.56. Scordino was seeded seventh overall in the highly competitive field.

The long race was dominated by Mansfield as Scordino held the early lead with Edwards just footsteps behind. Scordino maintained her lead for the first 18 minutes of the race until Edwards strided to the front of the pack. Less than two minutes after taking the lead, Edwards led by over 20 meters and continued to distance herself from the pack.

Edwards held a 300 meter lead with just three laps remaining in the race. With just over a lap remaining and a huge gap between her and the rest of the pack, a smile was visible on Edwards' face as she knew she was about to make history.

Edwards broke the school-record in the event set last year by Scordino with a time of 35:46.96, by 25 seconds while also avenging an upset at the PSAC Championship two weeks ago.

At the PSAC Championship, Edwards was edged at the finish line by :56 of a second by Shippensburg's Katrina Spratford who finished 5th at the NCAA Championship, more than 75 seconds behind Edwards.

Edwards margin of victory was even more stunning when you consider the next seven runners finished with a 32 seconds spread among themselves.

It marks the second time in her career that Edwards has earned outdoor track and field All-American accolades. Scordino earns All-American honors in her DII National Championship debut.

Mansfield is in third-place in the team standings with 13 points after Day 1 of the championship.