CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) proudly announces the recipients for the 2017 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Year, Field Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year. These awards were voted on by the coaches within the conference.
Track Athlete of the Year: Isaac Garcia-Cassani. Geneseo
Geneseo's Isaac Garcia-Cassani has been awarded the 2017 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Year. The highly accomplished distance runner compiled an impressive junior campaign throughout the outdoor season, ultimately claiming a national championship in the 1500-meter (3:52.59). During the season, Garcia-Cassani set a Geneseo program record in the mile with a time of 4:02.91. The next week, the junior would take home first place in the 1500-meter and second in the 5,000-meter at the SUNYAC Outdoor Championships., earning All-Conference honors. After posting the nation's top 1500-meter time, Garcia-Cassani was named the Atlantic Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Garcia-Cassani was also the conference's Cross Country Runner of the Year and Indoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Year.
Field Athlete of the Year: Jack Flood, Cortland
Cortland's Jack Flood has beeen voted as the 2017 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Field Athlete of the Year. Coming off a spectacular indoor season, Flood set the bar high by registering the top decathlon point total (7,021 points) in Division III at the Kutztown University Mondschein Multi in April. The Bayport, NY native was an All-Conference honoree after taking first place in the High Jump at SUNYACs. The senior also posted third in the 110-meter hurdles at the conference championships. For his performances, Flood was named to the Atlantic All-Region list in both the decathlon and high jump by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Flood was also named the Division III Men's Atlantic Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. At the NCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Flood earned All-America honors with a first-place finish in the decathlon.
Rookie of the Year: Cody Sikora, Buffalo State
Buffalo State's Cody Sikora has been awarded the 2017 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Rookie of the Year. The North Tonawanda, NY product was a force in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and a member of the Bengal's 4x400 relay team. Sikora's 400-meter time of 48.35 (Towson Invitation 2017) was the top time in the conference. At the SUNYAC Outdoor Championships, the freshman took home first place in 400-meter (48.56), while also aiding in a third-place effort in the 4x400 (3:23.92). Sikora was named as an Athlantic All-Region Honoree in both the 400-mete nd 4x400 relay by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Coach of the Year: Steve Patrick, Cortland
Cortland Head Coach Steve Patrick has been voted the 2017 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Coming off the program's 14th overall SUNYAC title, Coach Patrick's squad landed 10 Atlantic All-Region Honorees by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Led by Coach Patrick, the Red Dragons would advance 8 student-athletes to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships. Ultimately, the Red Dragons placed tied for fifth in the final team standings, with an individual national championship and national runner-up, and 3 All-America honors. This was Cortland's second top 10 finish in the nation in the last two years. This is Head Coach Steve Patrick's second consecutive and fifth overall Coach of the Year honors.
