The Plattsburgh State track and field team started their outdoor season in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the Muhlenberg Invitational.
Only certain Cardinals were invited to this meet, and without the entire team present, the split took a toll on some of the Cards.
Sophomore distance runner Lindsey Davenport said PSUC is built on unity, and without all the Cards present, there was a feeling of emptiness.
“It wasn’t the same team atmosphere without the entire team present, which took a toll on me because unity and encouragement is what our team is all about,” Davenport said.
The Cards rely heavily on the encouragement and inspiration of one another. PSUC prides itself on teaching each other the importance and responsibilities of being a teammate and working as one. Sophomore sprint and hurdle competitor Ibukun Charles said the Cards are successful when they are together, and she appreciates the bond PSUC has.
“I love my team,” Charles said. “We constantly motivate, cheer and encourage one another, which is what I really love about my team.”
Despite being separated as a team, the Cards still saw plenty of achievements at their latest meet.
With a time of 5:07.62, Davenport finished 21st in the 15,000-meter run, tallying a SUNYAC standard. Freshman distance runner Samantha Reagan also picked up a SUNYAC standard, finishing 18th in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:28.69.
In other competition, Charles placed 15th in 100-meter hurdles, and ninth in the 400-meter hurdles.
Charles said she is motivated and confident to excel moving forward with her teammates.
“I have personal goals as well as team goals,” Charles said. “I’m looking forward to swiping the record board clean and replacing them with my personal best as well as my other teammates.”
On the men’s side, PSUC continued their success in Pennsylvania.
Junior sprinter Kyle Jones qualified for the ECAC Outdoor Championships, finishing second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.81. Jones also competed in the 200-meter dash, securing fifth place with a time of 22.87.
In addition to Jones, senior sprinter Luke Potash finished 10th in the 100-meter dash and 11th in the 200-meter dash.
Although the Cards are connected as a whole, that doesn’t stop them from striving and understanding that every athlete cannot be present at every meet, which makes the athletes stand on their own.
“We’re athletes too just like the next team, and we work very hard,” freshman thrower Liz Berry said. “We’re beyond dedicated to track and field.”
As the Cards continue their outdoor season, they will travel to Springfield, Massachusetts, this weekend to compete in a tri-meet with Springfield and Middlebury. PSUC believes their first meet can be a good steppingstone for upcoming events.
“This (The Muhlenberg Invitational) was only our first outdoor meet of the season, and we’re putting oil on the rust because we haven’t raced outdoor in a whole year,” Charles said. “The meet loosened us up, and we’re ready to dominate the entire season.”
Email Cardinal Points at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
