This past weekend, the Geneseo men's and women's track squads traveled to Hobart College, where they participated in the SUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Competing against seven other schools, the women's squad finished second while the men finished third.
Overall, coach Dave Prevosti was pleased with his team's performance.
"It's not like we beat ourselves," he said. "I still say this is one of the best teams I've coached."
The women garnered multiple strong performances as they finished with a final team score of 141.5, which trailed only Cortland's 155. Junior Laura Iafrati won the 5000 meter in a time of 18:03.88 to lead the team. Iafrati also finished third in the 3000 meter (10:34.17).
"She's been stepping up all year," Prevosti said of Iafrati. "Everything you ask her to do, she just steps up."
Also emerging victorious for Geneseo was the distance-medley relay team of senior Emily Hurley, freshman Naomie Francois, sophomore Erin Marks and graduate student Christy Finke (12:54.20). The Knights received a pair of second-place finishes from Finke and junior Liz Montgomery in the mile (5:15.45) and 5000-meter (18:08.77), respectively.
Geneseo would also have a trio of second-place finishes in the field events as juniors Julie Thering and Allison Lewis, along with sophomore Alice Buskus, excelled in the weight throw (15.08 m), the high jump (1.58) and the long jump (5.30m), respectively. Thering's toss in the weight throw met the NCAA provisional qualifying distance. She would also add a third-place finish in the shot put (11.76m) to complete her weekend.
The men's squad totaled 102.5 points, which placed them in third behind Cortland (160) and Buffalo State (121.5). They were led by senior Wes Hamilton, who won the long jump (7.05 m) and took second in the triple jump (14.14). Both marks met the provisional NCAA qualifying distances.
"Wes's performance is really one you aren't going to see often," said Prevosti of his senior jumper. "He really is a special athlete."
The Knights received a pair of second-place finishes from freshman Tom Reubens and junior Kevin O'Connell in the 3000 meter (8:48.95) and the pole vault (4.41 m). Rounding out the performances for the Knights was freshman Dustin Rabideau, who took home third place in the 55-meter hurdles (7.85).
Up next for the Knights is the New York State Collegiate Track Conference championship which will be held at St. Lawrence University on Feb. 29 and March 1. The competition will be rigorous as the field expands to 17 teams for the women and 16 for the men.
"It will be a challenge," said Prevosti. "But I expect some great performances."