VISTA – Shanna St. Laurent awoke to a handful of people holding her down. She wasn't sure what was going on.

Shanna was competing in a cross country race before she found herself on the ground looking up at trainers and race officials. The Rancho Buena Vista distance runner had collapsed just after the first mile mark of last fall's San Diego Section championships.

“It was really weird because I didn't know it was coming,” said Shanna, a freshmanwho is also a distance runner on the Longhorns track and field team.

“I felt a little bit dizzy but never felt like I was going to faint. I felt good after the first mile mark. It was a weird situation.”

Another bizarre moment came when Shanna passed out during a race a week later – not once but three times. That helped change the way Shanna approaches her passion and led her to become the subject of extended medical research.

St. Laurent, who placed fifth in the 1,600 meters at the section track and field championships at Mt. Carmel High on May 24, was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope in February. Neurocardiogenic Syncope occurs when blood flow to the brain is decreased because of reduced blood flow from the heart and falling blood pressure. The exact cause is often unknown, and syncope (fainting) can occur with little forewarning.

That's why Shanna never felt her blackouts coming.

“Doctors explained (the syndrome) stating that elite athletes tend to train their bodies to push past (a dizzy) feeling and won't allow their body to slow down when they begin to feel light-headed due to minimal supply of oxygen to the brain,” said Sonia St. Laurent, Shanna's mother. “That's when the brain says, 'I want you to survive, so I'll put you on the ground.'”

When Shanna, 15, dropped for the first time at the cross country finals at Morley Field, it was believed she was suffering from dehydration. Shanna suffered minor seizures after passing out but there were no symptoms to indicate heart problems or blood pressure irregularities.

Disappointed that her first blackout kept her from qualifying for the state cross country meet, Shanna went on to compete in the U.S. Regionals race two days later. She completed the race with no problem.

After fainting three times during the USA Nationals in Kansas City, Kan., Shanna was taken to a cardiologist upon returning to San Diego. She underwent a series of studies that led to the diagnosis of Neurocardiogenic Syncope.

“She passed out, jumped up and continued running because there was no one there to stop her like at CIF,” Sonia said of Shanna's experience in Kansas City. “She jumped up all three times, and she ended up finishing the race. She was so mad it was happening.”

Shanna thought her running career was over. There was no immediate treatment, and there were plenty of questions about what the consequences would be if she continued to run. They still exist today.

But thanks to her cardiologist's studies, Shanna continues to compete, with medication used by patients who have low blood pressure. The medicine helps reduce her chances of collapsing.

Shanna's testing included an intense physical endurance exam given to the Navy Seals and running for hours on the treadmill without taking medication. She collapsed during the Navy Seals test. When given the low-blood medication, Shanna finished workouts on the treadmill showing no signs of weakness other than normal fatigue.

Shanna still thinks about the chance of fainting during a race. That's why at times she holds back. Still, the Longhorns' standout finished the season holding the third best mark (4:58.87) in the 1,600 and fifth best in the 3,200 (10.59.8) in the section.

“My first couple of races were stressful,” Shanna said. “My first mile (this season), I ran real cautious. But once after a couple of races and I got over that limit in my mind, I felt good and got more confidence that I can finish a race. Now I'm more comfortable. I still have some doubts, but I feel better than I did in the beginning of the season. You have to give it all you got.”

Shanna's will and determination impresses Rancho Buena Vista long distance coach Tom Lux.

“She has raw talent,” Lux said. “It's been a while since I've seen a freshman run this well at this point of their careers. She's a tremendous athlete, but she still has a lot to learn.”

There's still plenty to learn about Shanna's condition. Every time she steps on the track, it's a test.

“Doctors are trying to find how this treatment works with athletes at a competitive level,” Sonia said. “We don't have a lot of research on whether the medicine will hold up after the two-or three-mile mark.”

The uncertainty creates a sense of nervousness for Sonia and her husband Steven, a Marine.

“As a mom, it's been kind of sad because I watch her in the two-mile (3,200) and she's so careful until she hits the fifth lap,” Sonia said. “She runs real careful. I've never seen her run so careful in the past. Doctors say most athletes tend to grow out of this when they're around 18 or 20 (years old) and move on with their lives.”

Only time will tell what will become of Shanna's condition. But one thing is certain – she won't be giving up running any time soon despite some harsh criticism from parents and race fans on Internet message boards.

“I've been pounded on message boards because people think I'm trying to push (Shanna) and she could have problems later,” Sonia said. “But it's actually the cardiologist. I told Shanna she might not be able to run again. But the cardiologist said, 'How can you tell someone with this kind of passion that she can't run again?'”

Sonia at one point asked Shanna if she prefers to run with caution or quit. Shanna didn't hesitate to answer.

“I love to run. I want to go to college and be real good there,” Shanna said with a grin. “My doctor said the medicine will work and it won't hurt me.”

Shanna gets extra motivation from teammate Heather Zytkewicz, her coaches and her four siblings.

Her sister Soraya, a former standout distance runner at El Camino, is preparing for the Olympic trials. Older brother Michael was also a Wildcat a few years back. Samuel, her other brother, ran hurdles for the Wildcats this season.

Shanna didn't follow her siblings to El Camino. She and her parents felt RBV's coaching staff was a better fit in the long term.

The St. Laurents filled outdistrict transfer paperwork for Shanna to be eligible to attend RBV instead of El Camino, which has had different distance coaches the past two seasons.

“At El Camino, at this time, long-distance running is not a priority,” Sonia said. “We can't keep distance coaches. You can't build a program switching coaches every three years. I talked to the distance coaches at El Camino and they understand. Others didn't.”

Most people understand Shanna's special situation. Doctors, coaches, fans and family will pay attention as Shanna progresses through her high school career.

But no one will be watching with more angst than Sonia.

“If she wasn't on medication she wouldn't be running,” Sonia said. “We're hoping it will work for her and she can run through high school and college safely. We're just lucky we had a doctor that wouldn't give up and kept researching.”

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