On Saturday Jan. 14, the men's and women's indoor track and field teams competed at the Rochester Institute of Technology Invitational.
This Division III meet was a change for the Knights, who are used to facing the best competition in the country. The Knights, however, did not fall to the level of their opponents. Instead, in half of the events, there was at least one Geneseo member who placed first, second or third.
Junior Marissa Liberati returned from injury with a second place finish in the 3000 meter. Liberati finished the run in an ECAC qualifying time of 10 minutes, 33.05 seconds.
"She'd say that she's still on the mend and I would have to agree," head coach Dave Prevosti said. "But she's still better than anyone out there. She's that good. It's a sign of how great she will be in time. It's good to have her back."
Behind Liberati, freshman Cassie Goodman and juniors Danae Polsin and Brigid Heenan finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in ECAC qualifying times. Junior Emily Sullivan, freshman Alyssa Knott, senior Ashley Jones and sophomore Rebekah Steinke, other members of the 3000-meter pack, finished sixth through ninth, respectively.
Freshman Keira Wood demonstrated her abilities in the 800-meter run with a first place finish and an ECAC qualifying time of 2:17.02. Her time is also tied for third in the Top 10 All-Time Geneseo records.
"[Wood's] somebody who's very versatile and is going to excel wherever she is," Prevosti said. "She has great speed, great stamina and she's also a very good jumper. We're looking forward to see what she can do there, as well."
On the men's side, senior Eddie Novara ran two ECAC qualifying times, one in the 3000 meter and unexpectedly, one in the mile, as well.
"It's just a surprise that [Novara] would do that well [in the mile] because he has always been known as a guy with great endurance and speed," Prevosti said. "We hadn't known he had that capability. I imagine he didn't know he had that capability until he did it – now it's out. It's just interesting to see what this guy can do."
In the 3000, Novara led the path for seniors Mark Streb and Chris Mateer, who finished second and third, respectively. Streb and Mateer also ran ECAC qualifying times.
Other notable performances included junior Jessica Shumway and sophomore Carrie Levinn who tied for second in the high jump with 1.53 meters. In the long jump, senior Nwana Okafor took first and qualified for ECACs with his 6.96-meter leap.
The Knights hit the road to Geneva, Ohio this Saturday Jan. 28 for the Spire Midwest Indoor Open.