SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announces its annual men's track and field awards including Track Athlete of the Year, Field Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year. The conference coaches nominate and vote for these awards.
Track Athlete of the Year - Matthew Sayre, Geneseo
Sayre finished third overall in both the 5,000 and 10,000 at the 2021 NCAA outdoor track and field championships earning two All-American honors. His 14:15.15 in the 5,000 meter broke the SUNYAC conference record and Geneseo program record held by Isaac Garcia-Cassani. The senior from Garrison, N.Y. won SUNYAC titles in both of these events.
Field Athlete of the Year - Dane Sorensen, Cortland
Sorensen, a junior from Warwick, N.Y., captured the SUNYAC title in the pole vault this season. He went on to finish fifth in the event at the 2021 NCAA Division III track and field championships, earning All-America honors after matching his career-best height of 4.90 meters (16' 0.75").
Rookie of the Year - Ryan Mitchell, Geneseo
In his first season with the Knights, Mitchell captured the SUNYAC crown in the steeplechase with a time of 9:33.98. The Elma, N.Y. native finished 13th in the event at the NCAA Division III track and field championship meet.
Men's Outdoor Track and Field Coaching Staff of the Year - Geneseo
Head coach Chris Popovici and assistant coaches Dan Moore, Matt Jorgensen, Camille Wutz and Christian Johnson guided their team to the program's eighth overall and third straight conference championship this season. The coaching staff coached 20 athletes to all-conference status and three athletes qualified for the NCAA Division III championship meet with two All-American finishes (Sayre).