Bush Joins Heath as an All-American
6/15/2009 11:17:38 PM | Track and Field
2009 USTFCCCA All-Americans: Men | Women
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – Senior Bernard Bush became just the fourth field competitor in Syracuse history to earn All-America recognition with his performance in the long jump at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The last Syracuse field performer to earn outdoor All-America honors was Jillian Drouin in the heptathlon in 2007. The most recent male to achieve All-America status was Sam Okantey in 1999 for the triple jump, which he earned for both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
The USTFCCCA (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) selection rules indicate that the top eight finishers in each individual event, as well as American finishers who finish outside of the top eight in their event but are among the top eight American finishers, earn All-America designation.
Bush competed in the long jump final at NCAA Chmpionship held at John McDonnell at the University of Arkansas, but fouled on all three attempts.
Syracuse senior Kyle Heath earned All-America honors for the second consecutive year in the steeplechase, placing eighth with a time of 8:45.95.
The last member of the SU track & field team to earn All-America honors in successive seasons was Cheree Hicks (1999-2000, Discus and Shot Put). The last male to win consecutive All-America honors was Dering (1990-1991, hammer throw).
The Farmington, N.Y. native is SU's second two-time distance All-American. Jim O'Connell accomplished the feat in 1982 and 1983 competing in the 5,000-meter run. Heath is the only harrier in Syracuse history to earn All-America honors in the steeplechase.
The last time the Orange boasted two outdoor All-America performers was in 2007 when sprinter Michael LeBlanc joined Drouin with a fourth-place time of 10.22 in the 100-meter dash.
