The Fredonia State women's track team competed in the SUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, this past weekend. During the two days, the women would take part in six events with 10 different athletes. It was the last step before sending off Haley Lerner to regionals for the pole vault.
Lerner would start of the first day of events with an amazing performance in the pole vault. Lerner reached a height of 3.20m, which was enough to qualify her for regionals. She already had a qualifying height earlier in the season, but doing so within the SUNYAC Championships gave her the No. 2 spot on the podium.
Sydney Preston competed in both rounds of the 60m hurdles. On Friday, Preston finished No. 8 overall with a time of 10.18, which qualified her for the next day's event. On Saturday, she was able to move up one position to No. 7, and increase to a time of 10.07.
On day one of the meet, Kristin Kelemen, Evelyn Smith, Vanessa Ryhal, and Alexandra Battaglia competed as a team in the Distance Medley. As a group they were able to finish No. 5, with a time of 13:54.64.
Battaglia also competed in the 3000m, where she was able to set a personal record. She ultimately finished the race at No.11, with a final time of 11:01.05.
On day two of the meet, Smith, Ryhal, Ali Dixon, and Sam Schaffert competed as a team in the 4x400 relay. As a group they were able to finish No. 6, with a time of 4:30.99.
To end the SUNYAC Championships, Fredonia State had two Blue Devils who competed in the Weight Throw. Marissa Stravino went first and threw her life time best of 12.82m. She was able to finish No. 9 with that throw. Eleanor Clarke was second to throw, and finished No.19 with a distance of 11.32m.
During the closing ceremonies, where the SUNYAC awards athletes for a variety of different accomplishments, one of the Blue Devils was recognized.
The SUNYAC Elite 20, an award modeled after the NCAA ELITE 90 program, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.
This year's women's winner was SUNY Fredonia runner Kristin Kelemen, who has 3.98 GPA in English Adolescence Education.
Kelemen being recognized for her accomplishments, Lerner qualifying for regionals, and all of the other excellent performances from the athletes were a great way to cap off the season.
