Starting out on Friday afternoon, all five female hammer throwers comprised of senior Loren Metzger, juniors Nicole Desens and Jenna Fiacco, and sophomores Heather Rickman and Brianne Paganello finished in the top eight, scoring points and throwing SUNYAC qualifying marks. Their success continued on Saturday during the throwing events that took place. Desens won and set meet records in both the shot put and discus throwing SUNYAC qualifying marks in both events and qualifying for ECACs in the discus with a toss of 38.84m (127' 5"). Other females that scored points and qualified for SUNYACs included Pagenello in the shot put, Fiacco in the discus and javelin, and junior Meghan Devine in the javelin.
In other field events, senior Emily Cummiskey finished in second place in both the long and triple jump hitting the SUNYAC mark in both. Also scoring points in both horizontal jumping events was senior Jessica Strozyk who jumped a SUNYAC qualifying distance in the triple jump as well. Additional top eight finishers and SUNYAC qualifiers in the field events were freshman Devinne Arnold in the long jump, Meghan Devine in triple jump, and freshman Taylor Benzin in the pole vault.
Sophomore Anna Dambacher got the track events off to a great start winning the 400m dash and finishing second in the 200m. She ran SUNYAC and ECAC qualifying times in both races and also ran 25.83 in the 200m the second fastest time in Fredonia State history. Also winning her race was freshman Laura Morrison in the 800 running 2:20.53 a SUNYAC qualifying time and moving herself into the number four spot all-time in Fredonia State history in the event. Other females with top eight finishes on the track and SUNYAC qualifying times were senior Alexis Perez and freshman Devinne Arnold in the 100m and 200m dash, and junior Hailey Griewisch in the 100m hurdles.
On the men's side, sophomore Jeremy Kozlowski began his season with a first place finish in the 400m dash and a second place finish in the 200m. He ran SUNYAC qualifying times in both. Sophomore Eric Williams also won his event, the 110 high hurdles with a SUNYAC and ECAC qualifying time of 15.65. Other scorers and SUNYAC qualifiers were senior Brian Ogilvie in the 100m, senior Steve Whittemore in the 800, and junior Jonmichael Knapp in the 400m dash.
Top 8 finishers and SUNYAC qualifiers in the men's field events were sophomore Kevin Geiser and freshman Kyle Brown in the hammer, Ogilvie in the long jump, senior Alex Brennan in the long and triple jump, and senior Ben Goebel in the pole vault.
It was a great start to what we know will be an even greater season. Next we're headed to the University of Rochester for their Spring Invite. Good luck Blue Devils!