As spring break began for most RPI students, two members of the Rensselaer track & field team made their way north—instead of south—to compete at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 10 and 11. Making the trek to Northfield, Minn., were junior sprinter Kemar Brown and senior thrower Felicia Tsai.
Brown qualified to compete in the men’s 55-meter dash after posting a time of 6.46 seconds in the event at the ECAC Championships the previous week. Tsai became eligible for the national meet after hurling a 15.96-meter throw in the weight throw at the New York State Championships in February.
The trip would not be in vain, as both Engineers returned home with All-American honors in their respective events.
Brown made it through the preliminary heats with a qualifying time of 6.40 seconds. Positioned sixth after the prelims, the St. Albans, N.Y., native took fourth in the finals with a time of 6.42 seconds. The fourth-place finish earned Brown the title of National All-American.
Tsai posted a throw of 16.01 meters in the preliminary rounds to put her in seventh heading into the finals. The Olney, Md., native saved her best for last as she threw a 16.36-meter toss in her final throw of the championship. The school record heave was good for sixth-place, earning Tsai National All-American standing.
Brown and Tsai will now rejoin their respective squads as the Engineers prepare for the outdoor season, which begins on April 1 with a tri-team meet against Springfield and Westfield State at Harkness Field.
