By Rosie Sculco
Picture hours of training in your own indoor facility, only being able to compete there once a year. This is the reality for the Plattsburgh State Track and Field team, which hosted its lone meet of the year Tuesday, February 4th.
Notable performers for the women’s team included junior Marissa LeDuc, who took first place in the 55-meter hurdles and also won the high jump. First-year sprinter Lexi McDonald won the 55-meter dash. Another first-year athlete, Isabella Scott, won the 300-meter dash. Sophomore Grace Estus secured victory in the 600-meter dash.
The men’s team saw seven Cardinals emerge victorious in their events. First-year Thomas Clark kicked off the day for Plattsburgh by winning the 55-meter hurdles. He was followed by Cypress, who won the 55-meter and later also claimed victory in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.64 seconds. Sophomore Ryan Beltran won the 300-meter dash. First-year Joshua Gaboriault secured a win in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.90 seconds.
This competition was extra special for Cardinal Country, as it celebrated 10 seniors for senior day, including Peter Basile, Noah Bonesteel, Alaina Conners, Justin Kumrow, De’Andre Watson, Faris Webber, Sean Ramirez, Denali Rodriguez-Garnica, Sarah Smith and JT Zimmerman.
Plattsburgh athletics is known for its strong support amongst fellow athletes. Last year, Plattsburgh State introduced their first-ever Cardinals Supporting Cardinals Team Award which was won by the Men’s basketball team for attending over 45 games as a team to support their fellow cardinals. This is only a small example of how strong the support is rooted.
“I think It’s awesome to see the fans coming out to support, whether you know their friends or family or just casual fans of the sport to be able to showcase our student athletes is paramount,” said Brett Willmott, associate head track and field coach.
Cypress set a new indoor program record in the 55-meter dash at 6.42. His time, upgrading the hand-timed 6.30 of Eric Allen of Plattsburgh State back in 1990.
Today, fully automatic timing provides a more accurate mark, and by conversion standards, Cypress’s time is a new program best.
Cypress has set a new program record for the second time this season. He surpassed his own previous record in the 200-meter dash at the Middlebury Winter Invitational, held on January 18th of this year, improving his time by 0.19 seconds.
One of his secrets is a shared hobby among all people: music.
“A lot of my mental preparation is music. If you don’t do that, you’re kind of crazy,” Cypress said. “If I’m trying to be calm, maybe it’s a prelim, I’ll do something calmer, but if I’m trying to get ahead, if it’s a final, I’ll do something more exciting.”
Cypress focuses not only on improving himself but also on improving the team’s performance as a whole.
Cypress recruited his brother to come to Plattsburgh as an effort to build up the team. However, the theme of building and competing for the team doesn’t end there. In fact, these qualities are evident among the whole team, especially for the senior class.
“Honestly, since I came here, I put my individual goals in the back seat, and I want to try to build up the team,” Cypress said.
PHOTO: track1
CUTLINE: via Plattsburgh State Athletics
Charles Cypress having a laugh at the Field House.
Among those ten seniors is Smith, a four-year, three-season competitor from Lake Pleasant, New York, who has earned praise from her coaches.
“Distance races are challenging events when it comes to training and racing. Smith is one who leads by example with her tenacity and effort,” Willmott wrote in a text. “Not only is she a model student in the classroom, she also runs well for us when needed in the clutch. She is an integral part of our team scoring going into the SUNYAC Championships in a few weeks.”
Smith finished third at the Cardinal-hosted meet on Tuesday with a mile time of 5.35. She has been recognized by the SUNYAC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll for all three years (2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22). Smith is an example of the student-athletes who represent Cardinal Country while she prioritizes the classroom, trains to win, and appreciates the experience of being a college athlete to the fullest.
“For me, it really created a family. It’s nice because it’s kind of like a tight knit community, and it’s really helpful going throughout your college career,” said Smith.
There is unfinished business for this evolving team, and the future holds bittersweet endings for these seniors. However, it has been established in life that sports can create lessons, memories, and relationships that will last a lifetime.
“Just take risks, if you want to do something, go for it. I mean, you only have four years here, so just make the most out of it. Honestly, joining a team is the best thing I could have ever done,” said Smith.
The Cardinals hope to maintain this positive mindset throughout the rest of their indoor season and into the spring outdoor season, including the SUNYAC championship on Friday, February 28th, hosted by Brockport.
