CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is pleased to announce this year's recipients of the Women's Outdoor Track & Field Track Athlete of the Year, Field Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year. These awards were voted on by the coaches within the conference.
Track Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Boucher, Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh's Stephanie Boucher has been awarded the 2017 SUNYAC Outdoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Year. At this year's conference championships, the senior middle distance runner edged out the competition in the 800-meter run, claiming first place with a time of 2:13.08. Boucher would ultimately advance to the NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field Championships, claiming third place in the 800-meter with a time of 2:08.22, earning U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-America honors. Plattsburgh adds Boucher as the 11th All-American in program history. Additionally, Boucher was tabbed as an Atlantic All-Region outdoor honoree by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Field Athlete of the Year: Alexa Wandy, Geneseo
Geneseo's Alexa Wandy has been voted the 2017 SUNYAC Outdoor Track and Field Field Athlete of the Year. After being awarded the 2017 SUNYAC Field Athlete of the Meet, claiming two SUNYAC titles in the long jump and triple jump, the Lagrangeville, NY native landed three All-American honors at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Wandy was crowned the national champion in the triple jump (13.00m/42'8"), while also claiming All-American honors in the long jump (2nd; 5.95m/19'6.25"). Her triple jump at NCAAs was the second best triple jump distance in DIII history and a meet record. Wandy was also a member of the Knight's 4x100 at NCAAs, earning a third All-American honor. Additionally, the senior Knight was awarded the Atlantic Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year. On Friday, Wandy was named the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Women's Field Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Rookie of the Year: Mariah Mays, Brockport
Brockport's Mariah Mays has been awarded the 2017 SUNYAC Outdoor Track and Field Rookie of the Year. The freshmen thrower had an impactful inaugural outdoor season, registering several noteworthy finishes. Early in the season, Mays took home second place (13.23m) in the shot put at the Golden Eagle Friday Night Event. At the Cardinal Classic, Mays showed her power in the women's discus, posting a career best distance of 43.43m while also taking first place. The Rome, NY native bested the field at the 2017 SUNYAC Championships in the discus throw (42.99m) and took home second in the shot put with a distance of 12.39m.
Coach of the Year: Chris Popovici, Geneseo
Geneseo Head Coach Chris Popovici has been voted as the 2017 SUNYAC Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. In 2017, Popovici led the Knights to their program's 10th-overall SUNYAC Championship and most recent since 2015. The Knights would carry their success into the NCAA Championships, placing 5th-overall and registering 10 All-Americans, including a National Champion in the triple jump. Popovici was recognized as the Women's Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Under the helm of the third year coach, the Geneseo women's cross country/track and field program were ranked seventh among the nation's best in the final U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. This is Popovici's second Coach of the Year honors, after taking over in 2014-2015.