Mary Cullen, a member of the Providence College class of 2006 and the women's track team, finished first place in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship held recently in Sacramento, CA.

Competing in her final collegiate race as a Providence College student-athlete, Cullen captured the 5,000 meters in a time of 16:01.39. With her first-place finish, Cullen earned all 10 points for the Friars, whose 25th-place finish was its best since placing 22nd in 2004. It marked the ninth time a Providence College female athlete has won a NCAA championship.

Cullen, who earned her sixth All-America honor (four in track, two in cross country), joins an impressive list of PC athletes to win a NCAA women's individual crown: Geraldine Hendricken, Amy Rudolph, Marie McMahon and Kim Smith. She also is the first PC athlete to claim a NCAA track title since Kim Smith captured the 5,000 meters in the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championship.