TYLER PACOS
Assistant Sports Editor
Both the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams finished their regular seasons this week at the University of Buffalo team invitational on April 23 and the University of Rochester alumni invitational on April 30.
At the University of Rochester meet, the women’s top performers were Evelyn Smith, placing 14th in the 400 meter, Vanessa Ryhal placing 11th in the 800 meter, Ally Bataglia placing 13th in the 1500 meter, Alissa Dixon placing 15th in the 400 meter hurdles, and Eleanor Clark placing 22nd in the hammer throw and 6th in the javelin throw.
For the men’s team, the top performers of the meet were Sam Cottrell placing 30th in the 400 meter, Vincent Mendez placing 37th in the 800 meter, Patrick Klinger placing 11th in the 1500 meter, Sembel Koshi placing 8th in the 5000 meter, Luc Williams placing 6th in the javelin throw and the 4×400 relay team finished in 6th.
With both teams competing in the SUNYAC for the first time since the start of the pandemic, the connections that were almost diminished during that time have slowly worked their way back.
Marisa Stravino, a junior thrower, felt at home with her team this season and talked about the connection the team has built over the duration of the indoor/outdoor season. “I’ve really enjoyed finally being able to practice with everyone on this team,” Stravino explained. “We used to have to practice in small confined groups (due to COVID-19), but now everyone can be together which has helped a lot with our performance and mentality, including mine.”
Both teams will travel to Brockport this weekend on Friday, May 6 for their final stint of the season for the SUNYAC Championships.
Athletes who qualify for their respective events in Brockport will then travel to Bethlehem, Pa. for the NCAA Div. III Championship meet which is scheduled for May 18 and 19.
