June 15, 2009
This summer, GoTerriers.com is counting down the top 12 achievements of Boston University teams and student-athletes in 2008-09, one of the greatest years ever for Terrier athletics. Check back each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we reveal this year's Terrier Twelve.
Coming in ninth in this year's Terrier Twelve is a strong year for the women's track and field program that included three All-America honors and the America East indoor championship. The Terriers won their fourth straight indoor conference crown while seniors Andrea Walkonen and Tahari James were named All-Americans.
In the fall cross country season, Walkonen was dominant on the trails, winning both the New England and America East championships for the second straight season. In the NCAA Northeast Regional, Walkonen finished second to earn a trip to the national championship alongside teammate Erin Lagasse.
At the NCAA championship on Nov. 24, Walkonen navigated the course in Terre Haute, Ind., in 20:29, finishing 21st in the nation to become the sixth runner in BU history to capture women's cross country All-America honors and the first since 1997.
As the track season shifted indoors for the winter, Walkonen continued her dominance and a strong all-around team performance delivered the Terriers their 11th America East title. Walkonen won both the 3,000-meter run and the 5,000m run, setting a school record in the latter, and was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet on Feb. 21 at BU's Track and Tennis Center.
Freshman Shelby Walton won the 55m dash and placed third in the 200m dash to capture Most Outstanding Rookie honors and the Terriers' coaching staff, led by Robyne Johnson, was honored as the Coaching Staff of the Year. Senior Becky Marshburn captured the conference title in the 500m dash, classmate Katie Weider won the 800m run and senior Edwina Clark came in first in the long jump, while sophomore Karly Neveu defended her conference crown in the high jump.
Walkonen went on to College Station, Texas, to compete in the NCAA championship in the 5,000m run and finished eighth, breaking her own school record with a time of 16:03.04, to earn All-America honors.
In the spring outdoor season, James returned to the team for her final season of eligibility after capturing All-America honors in the triple jump both indoors and outdoors in 2008. She won the first three triple jumps she entered and finished second at the prestigious Penn Relays. At the America East Championship, she won the triple jump and long jump and was part of the winning 4x100m relay team to earn both Field Performer of the Meet and Coaches' Award honors.
On Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark., James competed in the NCAA championships, finishing seventh in the triple jump with a leap of 13.28m to earn her third career All-America distinction.
The 2008-09 season marked the first time that BU athletes took home All-America honors in all three seasons since the 1994-95 season, when Christine Stief was honored in all three seasons. James also became BU's first three-time All-American since Stief.
The Terrier Twelve
No. 10 - Women's Swimming & Diving Conquers America East
No. 11 - Women's Ice Hockey Cracks National Rankings
No. 12 - Rickett Rewrites Records at America East Championship
A Letter from Athletic Director Mike Lynch
