Season Preview: Track & Field
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The 2024 Finger Lakes Community College track and field season is upon us, and the Lakers program, which has seen success historically, is gearing up for another season filled with merit and achievement. Building on a successful season last year which saw 6 men and 2 women qualify for the NJCAA Division III National Championship, head coach James Bathgate has added fresh talent that will look to make their mark. The goal for the Lakers in 2024 is to surpass the number of qualifiers from a successful 2023 team that saw most of their qualifiers finish in the top 8 and two student-athletes earn the honor of NJCAA Division III All-Americans.
On the women's side, sophomore Morgan Cheney (Pultney, N.Y./Prattsburgh) is the lone returner, and according to coach Bathgate, will be crucial to the team's dynamic. Cheney, who placed 4th in the 3000m steeplechase at the NJCAA Division III National Championships in 2023, is set to reach All-American status with a top-3 finish in 2024. In total, the women's side welcomes nine new faces to the program including Ashleigh Bertelsen (throws), Megan Calder (distance), Grace Holmes (pole vault and jumps), Destiny Smith (sprints and jumps), Trinity Ortiz (jumps and sprints), Phallon Rivera (throws), Juliette Ventura (jumps and throws), and Misty Hall (sprints).
The men's team, consisting of seven athletes, sees Justin Luna as the only sophomore. Luna, who missed the 2023 season due to injury, will look to make his mark in his sophomore season, competing in hurdles and jumping events. Incoming freshman Terreque Davis (jumps and sprints) complements the men's team along with Jason Hunt-McLean (throws), Zach Lester (distance), Aen Weigert (hurdles and jumps), Lucas Green (jumps), and Reese Mathias (undecided), all of which bring unique skills to the fore.
The Lakers will open their season indoors, with two meets set to take place at SUNY Brockport, the first coming this Saturday, January 20th at 10 AM for the Golden Eagle Invitational. Not only will the Lakers' brief indoor period be crucial for team assessment, but it will also provide the team the opportunity to qualify for events in the outdoor NJCAA Region III and NJCAA National Championships. With a brief outdoor season, consisting of only four invitationals, meeting qualifying times will be crucial to the team's goals this season.
The 2024 Lakers track and field team, with a blend of experience and emerging talent, is on a quest to continue its legacy as a true contender in regional and national competition.