June 26, 2006

Chase Eckard
Track & Field
Granite Falls, N.C.

Chase Eckard closed out his freshman outdoor track season at Charlotte on a high note, earning a Junior All-American award with a sixth-place finish in the 800-meter run at the 2006 Finish Line USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships on June 23 in Indianapolis. He also posted a 14th-place finish in the 1,500 at that meet.

In the 800, Eckard ran a personal-best time of 1:52.08 to place sixth overall and extend Charlotte's streak of Junior All-Americans. That time moves him into second place on the school's all-time list. Eckard was the Atlantic 10 Conference Outdoor Men's Track Rookie of the Year this spring.

This fall, Chase will lead the 49ers cross country team along with teammate Ryan Jank, who was 7th in the 5,000 last year to earn his Junior All-American award. The 49ers have had at least one Junior All-American each year since 2002.

Other Nominees: Ray Sheedy (golf), Kelsie Ormsby (w. soccer), Shareese Woods (w. track)