Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Senior Emily Harrison earned All-America status in the 5000m Friday evening

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Senior Emily Harrison finished ninth in the 5000-meters at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday evening, earning All-America honors for the third time in her career. The second ACC finisher to cross the line, Harrison finished in a time of 16:19.85, just three seconds shy of her personal-best.

“I think Emily’s time and finish in this race is a huge accomplishment for her,” head coach Randy Bungard said. “She ran a 5k and a 3k at the ACC Championships just two weeks ago and followed that up with a 5k this past weekend. For her to continue to improve with the distances that she has been running recently is a testament to her as an athlete. Jason Dunn has managed her training very well this season and we are extremely proud of her achievements and her competitiveness.”

Harrison ranked 11th nationally going into the championships and earned All-ACC honors two weekends ago in both the 3000m and 5000m. She finished second in the 5k with a time of 16:27.39 and third in the 3k in 9:31.65.

Her 16:16.53 in the 3000m at last weekend’s Alex Wilson Invitational at Notre Dame marked a personal-best for the distance runner.

While this is Harrison’s first indoor All-America honor, she is a two-time cross country All-American. She is also the first female to earn All-America honors in the 5k since Patty Matava earned the distinction during the 1988 outdoor season.

The 2008 outdoor track and field season kicks off next weekend. The team will travel to Charlotte, N.C., to compete in the UNC Charlotte 49ers Invitational Friday and Saturday.