Five UCAA Track and Field awards were bestowed upon athletes of the Rensselaer team this week after their performance in the Crusader Invitational hosted by Holy Cross in Massachusetts on Saturday, April 17. The team rose to the challenge brought by competitors from five Division I teams by placing second overall in the men’s meet with 145 points, and fourth in the women’s with 121.5 points.
Jen Dias, a freshman on the team, was named the UCAA Track Performer of the Week. Dias won the 400m hurdles in the time of 63.94, which set a new school record in the event as well. She also placed third in the triple jump with 10.30m and helped set another school record in 1600m relay in the time 4:01.07 with teammates Becky Lock, Alyssa Coffey, and Michelle Fisher.
A second UCAA award was earned by Felicia Tsai who was named Co-Field Performer of the Week. Tsai won the hammer throw with 50.34m and set new school record of 38.42m in the discus with an overall third place finish.
Also earning an award for her performance in the throwing events was Sue Madden, who was named Rookie of the Week. Madden won the shot put with mark of 13.11m, setting a new school record in the event, and placed fourth in both the discus with 37.86m, and in the hammer throw with 39.77m.
Additionally, a fifth school record was set for the women by Carol Scalice, who won the long jump with a mark of 5.61m. Teammates Lauren Carter and Alison Benson were also strong contributors to the womsn’s team. Carter won the 3000m steeplechase in 12:29.61 and Alison Benson took the pole vault with a leap of 3.55m.
On the men’s team, Kemar Brown was named the Co-Track Performer of the Week by placing second in both the 100m dash with 11.00 and in the 200m dash with 22.27. The men’s 1600m relay team, including Brett Perron, Owen Kellett, Paul Legac, and Joe Otto, also performed well, winning their event in 3:20.76.
The team’s fifth UCAA award was earned by Jim Motzkin, who was named Field Performer of the Week. Motzkin won the javelin in 64.21m and set a new school record for the event, while teammate Jeff Crannell contributed to the teams’ second place finish in the meet by winning the hammer throw with 49.09m.
Next Saturday the team will be hosting the RPI Invitational at the Harkness Track and Field beginning at 3 pm. Come show your support for the team as the outdoor season nears its end.