CORTLAND, N.Y.- The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) proudly presents the annual winners for Men's Indoor Track & Field Coach, Rookie, Track Athlete, and Field Athlete of the Year. These awards were voted on by the coaches within the conference. This is the first year that the SUNYAC is recognizing athletes for Track Athlete, Field Athlete, and Rookie of the Year.
Field Athlete of the Year: Jack Flood, Cortland
Flood, a senior from Blue Point, N.Y., had an outstanding season for the Red Dragons. As a heptathlete, he broke the conference record for points (5,155) at a meet in Ithaca earlier this year. At the SUNYAC championships, Flood garnered a victory in the high jump, was named to the all-conference team, and attained ECAC qualification for 60-meter hurdles, long and high jump, and pole vault. He was then awarded DIII Men's Atlantic Region Field Athlete of the Year and All-Region honors. Flood's success continued at the NCAA DIII Indoor Track & Field Championships, where he won the National Championship in the heptathlon and broke the SUNYAC record for points yet again with 5,247. This point total was fifth-best all-time at the national level. Flood's performance was capped fittingly with NCAA All-American status for the second straight year.
Track Athlete of the Year: Isaac Garcia-Cassani, Geneseo
Garcia-Cassani, hailing from Holbrook, N.Y., had a tremendous junior season for the Knights. The Junior distance runner, who was also named the conference's Cross Country runner of the year, found a great deal of sucess in the mile competition this season. At the SUNYAC championships, Garcia-Cassani was victorious in the event and was named to the all-conference team. His success carried into the NCAA DIII Indoor Track & Field Championships, where he won the National Championship in the Mile and gained his sixth recognition as a Track & Field All-American. Garcia-Cassani's outstanding season was completed with the designation as Outstanding Male Performer of the Meet by the USTFCCCA.
Rookie of the Year: Sean Kuehn, Brockport
Sean Kuehn showed great promise in his first year of SUNYAC track & field competition. The freshman distance runner, originally from Central Square, N.Y., found success in many of the events that he competed in this season. In the mile run and 800 meter, Kuehn had a first-place finish during the regular season and was able to place 10th and eighth, respectively, at the conference championship. In the 1,000 meter run, Kuehn placed as high as fourth during the regular season and at the ECAC Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Coach of the Year: Chris Popovici, Geneseo
Popovici, in his third season with the Knights, has been named Coach of the Year. Geneseo saw great success throughout the season. At the SUNYAC championships, the Knights won both the men's and the women's team titles, their first victories on either side since 2011-12 and 2005-06, respectively. At the NCAA DIII National Championships, Geneseo boasted top-ten finishes for both men and women in an incredible effort. Led by Popovici, the Knights captured three National Championships (two women's, one men's) and gained eight All-American honors.
