Track and Field Claims Several Qualifying Marks at Cortland

CORTLAND, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College track and field team continues to build its case for what should be a strong showing at the NJCAA Region III and NJCAA Division III Championships. With many notable performances, PRs, and several student-athletes meeting regional and national standards, the Lakers showed up in a big way at SUNY Cortland this past Sunday afternoon. 

Freshman Grace Holmes made significant strides, qualifying for national in the pole vault by clearing 2.20m. Teammate Juliette Ventura followed with a standout meet performance, qualifying for nationals in the long jump with a leap of 4.79m. Ventura showed her versatility, clearing 1.36m in the high jump. Ventura also ran a PR and met the regional standard in the 800m with a time of 3:06.63 and hit the regional standard in the 100m hurdles in 20.19. Freshman Trinity Ortiz excelled in the high jump, clearing 1.54m to qualify for nationals, placed 3rd in the long jump with a distance of 5.10m, and set a new FLCC record in the 100m with a time of 12.95, her second-straight meet breaking into the track and field record books. Sophomore Morgan Cheney achieved two PRs in the 1500m and 800m with times of 5:56.42 and 3:02.68, respectively, the latter also meeting the regional standard to round out a strong showing in the middle-distance events. Teammate Megan Calder ran solid races in the 1500m and 800m, posting times of 4:52.34 and 2:53.54. Freshman Phallon Rivera threw 18.16m in the discus and followed it with an impressive mark of 8.81m in the shot put to highlight the field events for the Lakers women's squad.

Freshman Terreque Davis was a highlight for the men's team, hitting the national standard in the 110m hurdles with an impressive time of 17.05, while also showing strong form in the high jump with a clearance of 1.75m. Sophomore Justin Luna contributed strong performances in the javelin with a throw of 20.66m, and the 110m and 400m hurdles, finishing in 22.29 and 1:12.60 respectively. Jason Hunt-McLean displayed his strength in the field events with a javelin throw of 26.01m, a shot put of 9.62m, and a discus throw of 28.25m. Freshman Aren Weigert's performance in the javelin, throwing 22.97m, added to a strong showing in the field events, while classmate Zachary Lester set a personal record in the 1500m with a time of 4:52:02 and completed the 800m in 2:27.78 to round out the track events for the Lakers.

The Lakers are on to the SUNY Brockport Multi Invite this Friday and Saturday, April 12th and 13th, where they will look to put together another impressive performance and build their resume as they slowly approach the regional and national championships.