CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has selected its final swimming and diving weekly awards for the 2016-17 season heading into the conference championships, February 15-18, in Buffalo. Four track and field athletes were also honored for their performances last week.
Men's Indoor Track and Field – Field Athlete of the Week - Jack Flood, Cortland
(Sr., - Blue Point, N.Y.)
Flood set a new school and SUNYAC record in the heptathlon with his winning score of 5,155 points at the Ithaca College Bomber Invitational and Multi. He broke the record of 5,140 points set by his teammate, Connor Christopherson, two weeks ago and is currently ranked No. 1 in Division III. Flood scored more than 700 points in five of the seven events: 855 points in the 60-meter hurdles (8.52), 785 points in the long jump (6.88 meters/22' 7"), 765 points in the 1,000 meters (2:50.09), 758 points in the high jump (1.95 meters/6' 4.75"), and 729 points in the 60-meter dash (7.45). His long jump, high jump and 60-meter hurdles performances were all ECAC qualifiers.
Men's Indoor Track and Field – Track Athlete of the Week - Ben Griffin, Oswego
(Sr., Mid - Sterling, N.Y.)
Griffin continued his stellar indoor season with another strong performance in the 800-meter run at the Ithaca Bomber Invite on Saturday. The senior clocked a 1:52.82 in the distance, which smashed the previous facility record of 1:55.35 which ranks second in Division III this season.
Women's Indoor Track and Field – Field Athlete of the Week - Alexa Wandy, Geneseo
(LaGrangeville, N.Y.)
Wandy won the long jump competition at the Ithaca Bomber Invitational on Saturday. She bested the field with a leap of 18 feet, 6 inches (5.64m) to post the sixth-longest performance in Division III this season.
Women's Indoor Track and Field – Track Athlete of the Week - Elise Ramirez, Geneseo
(Nesconset, N.Y.)
Ramirez finished second in the 5,000 at the Tufts Cupid Invitational on Saturday. In a field comprised of Division I, II and III runners as well as open competitors, Ramirez was the top collegiate finisher, clocking a time of 17:16.48 which stands as the sixth-fastest time in Division III and first in the SUNYAC this season.
Men's Swimming and Diving – Diver of the Week - Arron Carlson, Fredonia
(Senior, Diver - LeRoy, N.Y.)
Carlson completed a perfect regular season with two more wins Saturday during Fredonia's dual meet at Cortland. He improved to 22-0 by taking the 1-meter board with a score of 333.80, a total of 17.10 points better than runner-up Wade Lee of Cortland. Carlson (332.45) also topped Lee (325.95) on the 3-meter board.
Men's Swimming and Diving – Swimmer of the Week - Connor Mergler, Buffalo State
(Jr, Free - E. Amherst, NY)
Mergler captured three individual events and swam a leg of a winning relay as Buffalo State defeated Brockport in a dual meet on Saturday. Mergler won the 100 back (55.53), the 50 free (21.27) and the 100 free (47.23). He also led off the winning 200 medley relay that posted a time of 1:41.69.
Women's Swimming and Diving – Diver of the Week - Meghan Bartlett, Fredonia
(Senior, Diver - Johnstown, N.Y.)
Bartlett won the 1-meter springboard competition with 296.95 points. She finished second in the 3-meter to her senior teammate, Sam Kowalewski, by a margin of 2.15 points. He has a 19-3 record this season heading into the SUNYAC championship meet next week.
Women's Swimming and Diving – Swimmer of the Week - Mary Jane Leja, Brockport
(Sr., Free - Auburn, N.Y.)
Mary Jane Leja recorded three first place finishes, the senior won the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:57.51, the 50-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard free style touching the wall in 52:58 more than three second faster than the swimmer who finished in second place.
