CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has announced the 2019 Women's Indoor Track & Field Track Athlete, Field Athlete, Rookie and Coach of the Year awards as voted on by the conference coaches.
Track Athlete of the Year – Veronica Kordrupel, Buffalo State
Buffalo State's Veronica Kordrupel has been garnered with the Women's indoor Track Athlete of the year. During the SUNYAC Championships, Kordrupel won the 800 meter with a time of 2:20.64 and posted another first place finish in the mile with a time of 5:10.15. The senior also anchored Buffalo State's 4x400 meter and helped her relay post a third place finish. Veronica was awarded The Women's Most Outstanding Track Athlete of the Meet for having the most individual points of 21.5. Kordrupel was also named to the All-Conference team for her efforts at the SUNYAC Championship meet. At the AARTFC Indoor Track & Field Championships, the Buffalo State Senior finished first in the mile with a time of 5:01:82, this was a personal best for the Bengal. At The NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships, Kordrupel finished 8th in the preliminaries with a time of 5:02.61 qualifying her for finals the next day. During the finals of the women's mile, the Bengal finished 10th place overall.
Field Athlete of the Year and Rookie of the Year – Nisa Raqib, Buffalo State
Buffalo State's Nisa Raqib has been chosen as this years Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, as well as, Women's Indoor Rookie of the Year. At the SUNYAC Championship meet, Raqib had four top-10 finishes. The freshman finished first place in triple jump with a distance of 11.76 meters. In the 200 meter, she finished in 6th place with a time of 26.44, 8th place for 60 meter hurdles, and a 10th place finish in the high jump. The Buffalo State freshman was named to the All-Conference team for her efforts at the championship meet. The Bengal's star freshman Nisa Raqib finished out her first collegiate indoor season with a second place finish at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships in the triple jump. On her last attempt, she jumped 11.91 meters earning her All-American status.
Coach of the Year - Chris Popovici, Geneseo
In Chris Popovici's fifth season as the head coach of Geneseo's women's track and field, Popovici's team finished the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships tied for 51st, the highest mark of any SUNYAC school. He also led his athletes to win notable meets, including the 2019 SUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championships where 14 of his athletes were honored on the All-Conference teams. Popovici coached his athletes to two top 10 finishes in The NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships this year.