CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is proud to announce its annual Women's Outdoor Track & Field Track Athlete, Field Athlete, Rookie and Coach of the Year awards for the 2019 season. These awards are voted on by the coaches within the conference.
Track Athlete of the Year - Elise Ramirez, Geneseo
Geneseo's Elise Ramirez had a dominant senior year for the Knights, helping propel the women's outdoor track and field program to its third-straight SUNYAC title. Prior to the team's championship victory, Ramirez was tabbed as Track Athlete of the Week after posting a 5,000 meter time of 16:34:47 at the Bucknell Bison Classic in April. During the 2019 SUNYAC outdoor championships, Ramirez won the 5,000 meter run (17:13.74). She was also named the Atlantic Region Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). During the NCAA championships, the senior finished second in the 5,000 with a time of 17:07.34, earning her All-American honors. Her performance played an important role in helping the women's program finish among the top 15 teams during the meet.
Field Athlete of the Year/Rookie of the Year - Victoria Whimple, Plattsburgh
Victoria Whimple had an outstanding freshman season for the Plattsburgh Cardinals, garnering her with both Rookie of the Year and Field Athlete of the Year honors. Whimple was recgonized by the SUNYAC as Field Athlete of the Week in the middle of the season, after winning the triple jump and setting the school record with a regional mark of 11.99 meters at the Cortland Classic in April. She also helped Plattsburgh place third in the 2019 SUNYAC outdoor championship, she finished third in the triple jump with a regional mark of 11.82 meters. The freshman continued to impress during the All-Atlantic Region outdoor track and field conference championships, winning the triple jump with a mark of 11.91 meters and receiving All-Regional honors. At the NCAA outdoor championships, Whimple finished seventh overall with a jump of 12.23 meters, good enough to earn All-American status.
Coach of the Year - Chris Popovici, Geneseo
For the third-consecutive year in a row, Chris Popovici helped guide the Geneseo women's outdoor track and field program to a SUNYAC title - the 12th conference championship in program history. Popovici's leadership helped 15 athletes on the women's outdoor team get bestowed with All-Regional honors, along with six athletes who earned All-American status. Popovici helped lead the Geneseo women's outdoor program to an impressive finish in the 2019 NCAA outdoor track and field championships. Out of 147 teams, the Knights finished tied for 14th. The USTFCCCA recognized Popovici for his success this season, naming him the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.