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BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK
Staff Writer 05/20/2008

Staff Writer

Shannon Yates won't let a frustrating final meet diminish a strong collegiate track and field career.

Yates, a New Vineyard native and Gettysburg College senior, placed fifth in both the long jump (17 feet, 2 inches) and triple jump (36-7.5) last week at the ECAC Championships in Springfield, Mass. Competing in the rain, on a sprained ankle that never quite healed right, Yates missed an invitation to the NCAA championships in the triple jump by a quarter of an inch.

"It was the end of season, and it was starting to take a toll on my body," said Yates, who graduated from Gettysburg on Sunday. "I had a good career, though."

Both Yates and her coach, Steve Shutt, feel the triple jump is her best event. In March, Yates finished 10th in the triple jump at the NCAA indoor championships, with a jump of 36-6.25.

"Shannon has the qualities it takes to be a good triple jumper," Shutt said. "She's fast, strong and explosive."

Shutt took over as Gettysburg's cross country and track and field coach in the fall of 2006. Yates was studying abroad in the fall of '06 and didn't meet her new coach until joining the indoor track team in January '07.

"I thought she had a lot of potential," Shutt said. "She's a very good natural athlete. She worked very hard over the last two years to improve."

When she left Mt. Blue, Yates -- who won Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A titles in the high jump, triple jump and long jump -- left the Cougars feeling the high jump was her best event. After four years at Gettysburg, the triple jump is Yates' favorite.

"I gained three feet from my best mark in high school," Yates said.

The highlight of Yates' senior year came at the Centennial Conference Championships earlier this month.

Yates won the triple jump with a leap of 37 feet and a quarter inch, and finished fourth in the high jump (4-11), fourth in the 100 hurdles (16.83) and ran a leg of the Bullets' bronze medal-winning 4x100 relay. Yates also took second in the long jump (17-2.25) and was named the meet's Women's Most Outstanding Field Performer.

Yates plans on moving to Rochester, N.Y., with some friends, where she hopes to work in the fitness and health and nutrition industry. Yates plans on earning certification to be a personal trainer in July.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

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