Outdoor Track & Field Looks To Build Off Successful Indoor Season

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information) 

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's and women's outdoor track and field teams are set to open their 2016 season at home, when they host the St. Joseph's Spring Opener on Saturday, March 26 in Patchogue, NY.

Both the women and men look to improve on seventh and ninth place finishes, respectively, at the NJAC Outdoor Championships last May.

Ashley Arquer leads the way for the women, having qualified for the indoor ECAC's for both the 60-meter and 4X200 meter and garnishing NJAC All-Conference Second-Team honors in March.

The Lindenhurst, NY native broke the program's 60 meter (8.04) record at the NJAC Indoor Track and Field Championships and was a part of the 4x200 meter team—along with Amanda Sprague, Jennifer Holownia, and Jessica Pierno—that broke another school record at the ECAC Division III Indoor Track & Field Championship and earned an NJAC All-Conference Honorable Mention nod.

NJAC Player of the Week selection Pierno returns to the track after an impressive winter showing in hopes to return to the ECAC Championships in May.

On the men's side, ECAC Championship participants Mike O'Shea and Brian Frejka will return a year after breaking the 800-meter relay (1:35.25) mark last season. Skyline Cross Country Runner of the Year Ryan Haun looks to make an impact at this year's NJAC championships after a strong winter season.

Joining the program this spring is Josiah Hoshyla, who will be the first male pole-vaulter in the program's history and will look to make an impact in the NJAC landscape.

In his third season at the helm is head coach Matthew Perry, who is excited to get the season started.

"We are looking to see how many points we can grab at the NJAC Conference which is a very competitive conference. We were able to have one Individual and one relay on the women's side to qualify for ECACs during the indoor season and we would like to see if we can qualify more for the women and possibly the men in the spring."

The Golden Eagles return to the track on Saturday with much anticipation, as they have their sights set on qualifying for the ECAC's. The NJAC Championships will be held at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ on May 7 and 8.