Sept. 4, 2007

Flyer Women's Cross Country head coach and assistant track and field coach Ann Alyanak finished first among Americans and 31st overall to pace Team USA at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships women's marathon in Osaka, Japan on Sunday. Alyanak completed the course in 2:42:23 as Team USA placed sixth overall.

It was Alyanak's second consecutive year competing at the IAAF World Championships. Last year, in Debrecen, Hungary, she finished 10th overall and was second among American women.

"This was an awesome experience being able to run in this international field," Alyanak said. "It went well. We had a cloud cover in the beginning, which made it feel comfortable. I think I ended up negative splitting, which was the plan going in."

In 2008, Alyanak will continue to focus on competing at an elite level. Last April, she earned a spot in the 2008 Olympic trials by finishing ninth among American women at the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:38:55. The 2008 Olympic trials will be held on April 20, 2008 in Boston, a day before the actual marathon race and will be contested on a different course.

Alyanak was also featured this month on the Runner's World website. To read her Runner's World article visit www.RunnersWorld.com.

Alyanak will lead the Flyers next week at the National Catholic Invite in South Bend, IN on Friday, September 14.

2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships Results