Sept. 14, 2006

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton head women's cross country and assistant track & field coach Ann Alyanak is among ten Americans who will represent the United States in the 2006 International Association of Athletics Federation World Running Championships in Debrecen, Hungary in October.

Alyanak was selected as a member of the team this year at the USA Championships where she placed fifth in the half marathon race on Labor Day. "I'm very excited about the opportunity to represent the United States and UD at this event," said Alyanak.

The world championships will consist of two five-person teams (men's and women's) with the top three athletes scoring. The 20-km event takes place on October 8th and will be contested on a 5,000-meter criterium-loop through the streets of Debrecen. The championships offer a total of $245,000 in prize money.

Alyanak was named head coach of the women's cross country program on May 6, 2004. She also serves as an assistant track and field coach, working primarily with the distance runners. She is the first full time distance coach at UD. A native of Bluffton, OH she spent the 2003 season as a graduate assistant coach with the Flyers.

Alyanak is a 2001 graduate of Purdue University where she was a standout cross country and track runner. She was selected MVP of the cross country team all four years she competed, earning All-Region honors in 1999-2000. In track, she was an NCAA qualifier in the 10,000-meters after winning the Big Ten title as a senior. She also set the school record in the 5,000-meters and placed second at the Big Ten Championship.

Alyanak graduated from Purdue with a degree in exercise science and she is currently pursuing her master's degree in exercise science from UD. She resides in Beavercreek with her husband, Ed.

For more information on the IAAF World Running Championships visit www.usatf.org.