The Plattsburgh State track and field team competed in the the Utica College Blue and Orange Invitational & Multi, hosted by Utica College, last Saturday. The women’s team finished fifth out of 23 teams with a score of 47.5 points, while the men’s team compiled 26 points and ranked 13th out of 22 teams.
The Cardinals had no entries for the heptathlon last week, therefore the team only competed Saturday.
Due to the snowstorm last Friday, the team was not able to travel until Saturday morning and had to miss some of the events.
Assistant coach Sarah Bechtel said the team understood the circumstance but was frustrated for not being able to compete after the effort the team put in. She said the decision was made to ensure the team is in good shape and traveled safely.
“It isn’t something we’d like to do as a coaching staff but at the end of the day, our safety and our student-athletes’ safety is the most important,” Bechtel said.
Senior Elisabeth Plympton met All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference (AARTFC) qualification in the 200-meter dash and the 60-meter dash, placed second and fifth with the time of 26.05 and 8.00, respectively.
Plympton also competed in the 4×400-meter relay with graduate student Kallie Villemaire, senior Taylor Canet and sophomore Aislyn McDonough, and placed second with an AARTFC time of 4:07.46.
Senior Brianna Coon came in first for the shot put, recording a mark of 11.92 meters (39’ 1.25”), and ranked third in the weight throw with the mark of 14.96 meters (49’ 1”). Coon achieved the qualification of the AARTFC with both of the results.
Villemaire cracked the 60 second barrier and ran her seasonal best in the 400-meter dash with the time of 59.92 and met the qualification of AARTFC.
Sophomore Kristen Thomas broke her personal record with the time of 11:46.07 for the women’s men’s 3,000-meter run. Thomas said it boosted her confidence and she is hoping to hit the SUNYAC qualification mark.
“I know the first meet when I came back wasn’t my best, but I improved a lot so that’s all I care about and do what’s best for me,” Thomas said.
Junior Andrew Horan topped the 1,000-meter run, breaking the former facility standard of 2:35.29 set by Dillon Aryeh of Colgate University last year, with the time of 2:31.86. Junior Joseph Chianese placed fourth in the same event with the time of 2:46.20.
Freshman Brendyn Marrero ranked fifth for the 60-meter dash, with the time of 7.18, while freshman Marlon Peak Jr. earned the eighth place in 400-meter dash, with the time of 52.64.
For the men’s 200-meter dash, Marrero and freshman Brexton Montville came in ninth and 10th, with the time of 23.11 and 23.14.
Bechtel said her favorite event of the week is the men’s 200-meter dash as the team had a heat including two freshman, who are Brexton Montville and Cameron Aviles. She said they took first and second in their section of the men’s 200-meter dash.
“It was a big improvement for them,” Bechtel said. “As a coach, you see the things happening, the pieces coming together and you know it’s going to pay off. But the moment when it actually does, it’s pretty rewarding to see their excitement.”
PSU will compete at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, hosted by Boston University, from Friday-Saturday, Feb. 14-15.
Bechtel said only 15 regionals and nationals qualified caliber athletes will be attending the meet.
For athletes attending the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, they have a lighter week and will be tuning up for the big competition. The rest of the team will focus on getting ready for the SUNYAC conference.
“We all cheer together, sometimes we watch the live together,” Thomas said. “We’re happy for them because they did have to hit a certain time, so it’s good for them and hopefully they do well.”
Bechtel said the David Hemery Valentine Invitational is a huge meet and over 50 teams attended the John Thomas Terrier Classic hosted by Boston University Jan. 24 and 25. All divisions, including professional runners, will be competing in the meet.
“It’s always an exciting atmosphere, very packed meet, but this is one of the weekends that we’ve really been tuning people up for, so expecting some big performances from our crew,” Bechtel said.
