TURLOCK, Cal. – Graduate Christian D'Annibale and sophomore Matt Gillette achieved All-America honors on Saturday from California State University Stanislaus as the Shippensburg University men's outdoor track and field program wrapped up its competition at the 2011 Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

D'Annibale placed sixth in the javelin to become SU's 15th different All-American in the event. He reached the finals after a clutch effort on the final throw in his opening flight. Needing a strong throw and battling through pain, D'Annibale unleashed a new PR of 200 feet 7 inches that would stand as his best mark of the day.

Gillette placed seventh in the 1,500 meters to become fourth SU All-American in the event and the first since John Somers in 2005. He joins Gary Bicking (1980) and Jim Lebo (1990, 1991).

Saturday's effort by D'Annibale marks the third straight year and the 9th out of the last 11 that Shippensburg has had an All-American finish in the javelin. SU has had an All-American javelin thrower in 17 of the last 35 years dating back to 1977.

D'Annibale entered this season with a PR around 192 feet. He threw a career best 200 feet, 4 inches at the PSAC championships two weeks ago at Slippery Rock before achieving his new career PR on Saturday.

Saturday's performance also marks the 15th All-American performance by an SU thrower in 12 years under assistant coach Kurt Dunkel – himself a two-time SU All-American in the javelin.

Gillette entered the final lap in last place but made up five spots with a great kick over the last 200-plus meters of the race. His time of 3:58.82 was appearing to be an eighth-place result until another runner tripped his spike and fell short of the finish line.

It was another run in steady rain for Gillette - who won the conference championship in the 1,500 meters amidst a driving rain in Slippery Rock. It is the second All-America trophy of the year for Gillette, who won an indoor national championship with Shippensburg's DMR squad.