CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is proud to present the winners of the annual men's indoor track and field track awards including the Track Athlete, Field Athlete, Rookie and Coaching Staff of the Year for the 2019-20 season. These awards are voted on by the conference coaches.
Track Athlete of the Year: Matthew Sayre, Geneseo
The 2020 SUNYAC Track Athlete of the Year Matthew Sayre, a Greenville, N.Y. native, won the 5000 meter run with a time of 15:09.85 at the SUNYAC indoor championship. The junior earned All-Conference first team for his performance in the championship. He also finished second in the 3000 (8:46.47). Sayre was ranked 15th in the nation and second in the region in the 5000c
Field Athlete of the Year: Tony DeYoung - Brockport
From Lancaster, N.Y., junior Tony DeYoung has been named the SUNYAC Field Athlete of the Year. At the conference championships, DeYoung took first place in the shot put and posted a school, conference and SUNYAC meet record with a throw of 17.86 meters and earned a place on the All-Conference first team for his efforts. His efforts earned the title of Most Outstanding Performance at the 2020 SUNYAC Indoor Championships and went on to earn the regional title. As a three-time indoor all-region honoree in the shot put, he qualified for nationals as the No. 1 entry in the country. DeYoung would have made his second straight indoor appearance at nationals.
Rookie of the Year: Ezra Ruggles - Geneseo
Ezra Ruggles, from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has been named the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year. He won the mile at the SUNYAC championship in 4:15.13 and was named to the All-Conference first team. Ruggles was the top freshman in DIII this season in the mile as well as ranked within the top five in the region in the mile earning him All-Region honors. Ruggles was also part of the Knights' distance medley relay which was ranked first in the region with a time of 10:04.59. This DMR time also ranked the relay team ninth in the nation and qualified them for nationals.
Coaching Staff of the Year – Geneseo
Geneseo has been honored with the coaching staff of the year. Chris Popovici, the head track & field coach, and assistant coaches Dan Moore, Matt Jorgensen, Camille Wutz, Nick D'Amuro and Alex Curran led the Knights to a first place finish in the 2020 SUNYAC indoor championships. Geneseo men's track and field finished their season with six different athletes on the All-Conference first team, six All-Atlantic Region honorees, and seven national qualifiers in their 2020 campaign.
