SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) honors the 2021 Women's Track and Field Track Athlete of the Year, Field Athlete of the Year, Co-Rookie of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year as voted on by the conference coaches.
Track Athlete of the Year - Emily Pomainville, Geneseo
Pomainville, the senior from Malone, N.Y., ended her career with a national championship in the 1,500 meter run and broke the NCAA record with her time of 4:13.71 in prelims. She also placed second in the 800 meter finishing the race in 2:04.36 which ranks fourth all-time in Division III history. Pomainville won SUNYAC titles in the 800 meter run and the 1,500 meter run at the conference championship meet.
Field Athlete of the Year - Emily Lavarnway, Geneseo
Lavarnway captured two national titles in her senior season; the heptathlon and the 4x400 relay. She scored a combined 5,372 points to become the first Knight to win a national title in the heptathlon. Lavarnway and her 4x400 relay team of Jenna Strickland, Anna Flaitz and Madison Mulder crossed the line in 3:43.19. Prior to the NCAA championship meet, Lavarnway won three SUNYAC championship titles (200m, 100m hurdles, long jump) to help lead her team to its 13th overall SUNYAC team title. The Ovid, N.Y. native was also named the women's Most Valuable Performer after accumulating the most points in the conference championship meet (35).
Co-Rookie of the Year - Danielle Fisk, Cortland
The freshman from Honeoye Falls, N.Y. won the 2021 SUNYAC title in the high jump (1.65m). In her first season with the Red Dragons, she qualified for the NCAA Division III track and field championships in the high jump where she finished tied for 18th in the event.
Co-Rookie of the Year - Rachel Hirschkind, Geneseo
In her first outdoor campaign, Hirschkind's time of 10:58.33 in the steeplechase was the top time in the conference earning her a trip to the NCAA championship where she finished 12th. The Monroe, N.Y. native was second in the event at the SUNYAC championship meet finishing behind her teammate, senior Mariellen Penzer.
Coaching Staff of the Year - Geneseo
In 2021, head coach Chris Popovici and assistant coaches Dan Moore, Matt Jorgensen, Camille Wutz and Christian Johnson led their team to the program's 13th overall and fourth straight conference championship. The coaching staff coached 26 all-conference athletes and nine athletes advanced to the NCAA Division III track and field championship meet returning with nine All-American finishes.