For immediate release
March 13, 2006
Contact: Al Weston
(570) 893-2350
aweston@lhup.edu
Lock Haven Sweeps Regional Track Awards
BOSTON – Individuals from the Lock Haven University track and field program were honored by earning both the men's and women's track East Region Athlete of the Year awards the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) announced at the championship banquet Friday. Sophomore Ashley Hartman (Garrett, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) took the women's honor, while junior Ryan Blood (Pennridge, Pa./East Pennsboro) won the men's.
Lock Haven University Sophomore Ashley Hartman
(Garrett, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) 
A sprinter that has made an immediate impact on the track and field landscape in her two seasons, Hartman continued to set and re-set her own school records in the sprinting events during the indoor season. She broke her own marks in the 55 meters (7.18) and the 200 meters (25.43) this year and posted two All-PSAC times, including a championship in the latter event.
"Ashley is so deserving of this award she has just been tremendous all season," said LHU head coach Mark Elliston. "She has great reaction time and we are working on her sprint form, so I expect she will do even better as we go to the Outdoor season."
Lock Haven University Junior Ryan Blood
(Pennridge, Pa./East Pennsboro) 
Blood also posted a pair of All-PSAC performances, winning the 3000 meters with a meet-record time and taking second in the 5000 meters. The distance specialist qualified for nationals in the 5000 meters with a school record 14:27.87.
"Ryan's an amazing talent that's really starting to shine through," said LHU distance coach Aaron Russell. "When his confidence comes around in the big races, I think he's going to be a dangerous competitor. This award reflects the respect he's earned throughout the East Region this season."
Hartman, Blood, Elliston, Russell and the rest of the LHU track and field teams return to action in the outdoor season, beginning Saturday, March 25 at the Fred Hardy Invitational, hosted by the University of Richmond.