2016-17 Indoor Track and Field Preview
Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's and women's indoor track and field teams are set to open their 2016-17 season on Thursday, December 8 when they participate in the Bill Ward Invitational at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington, NY. Both the women and men look to improve on their seventh and ninth place finishes at the NJAC Indoor Championships this past February.
Ashley Arquer leads the way for the women heading into her senior year at St. Joseph's College. The Lindenhurst, NY native broke the program's 60 meter (8.04) and 200 meter (27.27) record at the NJAC Championship and was named to the NJAC All-Conference Second-Team.
Jessica Pierno returns to the track for her third year after breaking SJC's long jump record (4.88 m) at last year's NJAC Championship. Pierno currently holds the record in both the triple jump (10.32m) and the shot put (10.13). Additionally, the East Patchogue, NY native was selected as the NJAC Field Athlete of the Week last season and became the first athlete to win the award since the program joined the NJAC in 2011.
The team of Kelly Roberts, Taylor Darby, and Cassie Costarelli placed third in the distance medley relay at the NJAC Championship and set a new SJC record with a time of 13:36.93. The trio earned NJAC Honorable Mention accolades.
A season after qualifying for the ECAC's and breaking the school's 4x200 record, Amanda Sprague, Jennifer Holownia, along with Pierno and Arquer all look to improve on last year's 1:48.97 record breaking performance.
Skyline Cross Country All-Conference and All-ECAC members Erin MacDonell and Kelly Roberts rejoin the team after an exceptional cross country season in the fall.
In his fourth season at the helm head coach Matthew Perry brings five recruits including standout twin freshmen Madelyn and Mikayla Kowalevich. Both Madelyn and Mikayla had an impressive run during their tenure at Connetquot High School, with a specialty in the 100-meter hurdle boasting a 15.9 time last year. Also joining the crew is Brentwood, NY native Briana Shand who ran a personal-best 7.43 in the 55 meter.
Tim Elgort, Nick Diaz and Ryan Haun, who placed fourth in the 4x800 meter relay at the NJAC Championship, are the key returners for the men's team.
Hurdler Daniel Antonawich broke the 55-meter high hurdler last season and is expected to improve after his impressive rookie campaign. Junior Alex Becker broke the weight toss record last year, is looked upon to score some field points at this year's meet.
Joining the men's team are Cross Country Skyline All-Conference and All-ECAC members Nick DeLuca, James Dachille and Tim Monahan. Freshmen sprinters Ismael Constant and Anthony Figorito also join the Blue & Gold.
"We are always looking to get as many athletes as possible to qualify for ECAC's and we have been very fortunate to have had at least one individual or one or two relays qualify," stated Perry, who is excited to get the season started.
The women's team finished seven out of nine teams with 28 points in last year's championship and the men scored 11 points finishing ninth out of nine at the NJAC Championships. "The NJAC is a very competitive conference and we hope to move up the rankings each year and score more points every year," added Perry.
The Golden Eagles return to the track on Thursday with much anticipation, as they have their sights set on qualifying for the ECAC's. St. Joseph's College will host two events this season, starting with its third annual St. Joseph's College Winter Invitational on February 11 and the NJAC Championships at Ocean Breeze Park Track and Field Athletic Complex on February 20.
