Chico State Athletics

After a freshman year full of ups and downs that included a NCAA berth in the steeplechase event, McVannel looked to become a more consistent performer during the ’08-’09 campaigns.  For the most part this goal was accomplished as Shannon tallied top finishes for the ‘Cats at most fall invitationals and finished the harrier season with All-CCAA (7th) and All-West Region (10th) runs.  Although Shannon’s run in the fall wasn’t her best she learned a great deal about handling the pressures of the NCAA stage.  On the track Shannon notched PRs at all distances including a 10:56 mark for the 3k steeple that left her one second shy of the 10:55 mark needed to secure an NCAA trip on the oval.  After a rough 5th place finish at the CCAA championships in the barrier event McVannel took one last shot at the NCAA mark, and for the second year in a row, punched her ticket to the big dance at the Oxy Invitational.  Entering the NCAA competition ranked outside the top 12, Shannon was happy to advance to the 12 person final at the NCAA meet which was held in Texas.  Knowing that the field was fairly wide-open after the first few seeds Shannon ran a methodical and tough race in the final pulling into third overall with 400m remaining in the race.  Shannon would lose the final sprint to a senior from Truman, but still finished 4th overall while earning her first All-American honor.   Not having used her red shirt year yet, Shannon will most likely do so this fall while looking to the next few years as opportunities to run at a very high level.

Track Best Marks:
1500m: 4:46
3,000m: 10:35
Steeple: 10:52
5,000m: 17:59