Ellie Fernandez and Jennifer Kahn were a two-woman wrecking crew at the 2006 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

In the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase final, Fernandez - who became a three-time All-American in this event - overtook defending national champion and record holder Julia Rudd of Wartburg shortly after the halfway point of the race and cruised to a second place finish in a time of 10:23.95. Her time, which was better than Rudd's record time of 10:26.56, was the second fastest time ever run in this event in Division III history at the time.

Amanda Kuca of Concordia College of Wisconsin won the national title with a Division III record time of 10:15.72.

This was also the best finish by a Blue Streak track athlete at a national championship meet in program history. All six track & field national titles won by a John Carroll student-athlete have been in field events.

Despite being one of the lowest seeds to make the cut, Fernandez capped a stellar weekend and brilliant career by storming to a third place finish in the finals of the women's 5,000-meter run on the final day of competition.

Fernandez was seeded 16th of the 19 competitors who were selected to participate in the 5,000-meter national championship race. Her best time during the season was a 17:14.80, established at the first outdoor meet of the year -- the UNC-Wilmington Seahawk Classic.

Once in the final, Fernandez was able to defeat all but two competitors. Caroline Cretti of Williams, who had the best Division III time this year, won the 5,000 meters in a time of 17:12.32. Breanna Lucey of Keene State was the runner-up in 17:17.17, while Fernandez crossed in third place at 17:19.70, just edging long time steeplechase rival Amanda Kuca of Concordia (Wisconsin), who completed the race in 17:19.76.

Fernandez ended her career a seven-time All-American.

Meanwhile, in the field events, Kahn was making her own history as she finished fourth in the long jump final to earn All-American honors for the first time.

During the winter season, Kahn had just missed a top eight finish by placing ninth in the long jump finals of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships. This time around, she would leave no doubt, as she cleared 18-7 3/4 (5.70 meters) on her first jump and actually held the lead after the first round.

Only three other competitors were able to beat Kahn's first jump for the remainder of the competition. The University of St. Thomas' Kristal Grigsby (19-0 3/4) won her third NCAA title in the long jump, edging runner-up Kate Ross of Lewis and Clark (19-0 1/2). Erin Kokta of UW-Eau Claire placed third with a mark of 18-10, while Kahn was fourth as she hit a mark of 18-8 on the fifth of her six jumps.

Kahn is the first JCU athlete to earn All-American honors in the long jump since Thea Consler placed seventh in 1996.

Fernandez and Kahn helped John Carroll finish the competition with 19.0 points, good enough for 12th place in the final team standings. The 12th place showing is the best by a Blue Streak women's  track & field program at a national championship meet in school history.