Plattsburgh State Women's Track & Field

July 11, 2008

Senior Trio Named to USTF All-America Scholar Team

NEW ORLEANS - The Plattsburgh State senior trio of Allison Busby, Alyssa Recny and Toni Wiszowaty Friday were selected to the U.S. Track&Field Coaches' Association All-America Scholar Team, tying Cortland and Geneseo for the most in the State University of New York Athletic Conference. Last month, they were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America women's track & field and cross country teams as Plattburgh led all NCAA and NAIA institutions with the three honorees.

Click on link for USTFCA Release: http://ustfccca.cstv.com/sports/division3/spec-rel/071008aaa.html

The USTFCA honors Division III individuals for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field season.

To qualify for the USTFCA All-America Scholar Track&Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 and have met the NCAA Division III indoor or outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.

Busby (New Paltz, N.Y./Vestal Seton Catholic High School) was a second-team academic all-district choice as a junior before jumping to the first team this season and receiving national consideration. She earned All-America honors with an 8th-place finish last fall after helping the Cardinals to the national runner-up trophy at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. She was a 10k outdoor provisional. She carries a 3.94 overall GPA as a nutrition major, winning the 2008 Richard D. Semmler Award to honor the highest GPA for a female senior student-athlete at Plattsburgh.

Wiszowaty, of Shirley (William Floyd HS), was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 10K and No. 3 in the 5K, but couldn't compete in the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships due to injury. She won the 10K race at the famous Penn Relays in 33 minutes and 57 seconds that set an Olympic Trials "B" standard, SUNYAC and school records and ranks in the Top 5 all-time for Division III. A 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, the six-time All-American captained the cross country team to its best NCAA showing in school history, placed second at the regional meet and helped the Cardinals to their first-ever Atlantic Regional title. The elementary education (English) major has a 3.95 GPA, and was an Oak Street Elementary School Mentor in Plattsburgh this year.

An AuSable Valley Central HS product from Keeseville, Recny is a two-time All-American this academic year after taking 25th place at the Division III cross country meet and winding up fifth in the NCAA 10,000-meter run for outdoor track. Like Busby, a member of the Scholar All-A merica Team from the U.S. Track&Field Cross Country Coaches Association, Recny has compiled a 3.93 GPA as an English language arts major. She has volunteered over 100 hours of community service teaching art to Keeseville Elementary students.

In addition, the Cardinals were one of 92 Division III teams honored on a collective basis. At 3.20, Plattsburgh trailed only Geneseo (3.41) for the best GPA among SUNYAC schools. Last fall, the women's cross country squad earned similar honors from the U.S. Cross Country Coaches Association.

June 25, 2008

Senior Trio Tabbed for ESPN The Magazine Accolades

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Plattsburgh State led the nation, regardless of division, with three selections on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America women's track & field and cross country teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). That announcement was made on Wednesday by Vice Chair Bernadette Cafarelli, who is the sports information director at the University of Notre Dame. Seniors Allison Busby, Toni Wiszowaty each made the College Division Second Team while Alyssa Recny placed on the Third Team. COMPLETE CoSIDA RELEASE

With the trio's selection, it marked the first time in school history that the Cardinals produced three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in a single academic year. Before this year, men's hockey player Niklaus Sundberg in 2002 was the last Cardinal to earn this award when he was named second-team Men's At-Large. Plattsburgh, the only school in the SUNY system to have a recipient on the women's track & field and cross country teams, now moves into fourth place all-time among State University of New York Athletic Conference institutions with seven CoSIDA Academic All-America winners.

Busby (New Paltz/Vestal Seton Catholic High School) was a second-team academic all-district choice as a junior before jumping to the first team this season and receiving national consideration. She earned All-America honors with an 8th-place finish last fall after helping the Cardinals to the national runner-up trophy at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. She carries a 3.94 overall GPA as a nutrition major, winning the 2008 Richard D. Semmler Award to honor the highest GPA for a female senior student-athlete at Plattsburgh.

An AuSable Valley Central HS product from Keeseville, Recny is a two-time All-American this academic year after taking 25th place at the Division III cross country meet and winding up fifth in the NCAA 10,000-meter run for outdoor track. Like Busby, a member of the Scholar All-America Team from the U.S. Track&Field Cross Country Coaches Association, Recny has compiled a 3.93 GPA as an English language arts major. She has volunteered over 100 hours of community service teaching art to Keeseville Elementary students.

All three women have helped raise money for the Special Olympics of Clinton and Essex counties and American Cancer Society's Race Against Cancer meet.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.

ESPN The Magazine--winner of the 2006 and 2003 National Magazine Award for General Excellence--is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized bi-weekly with a circulation of 1.9 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports.

For more information about the Academic All-America Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com or e-mail rlipe@bentley.edu .

June 25, 2008

ESG Adirondack Trials Results

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. - Several athletes with Plattsburgh State track and field ties had strong performances at the Adirondack Region Empire State Games Trials held last weekend at Queensbury High School. For complete meet results, click on the following link at http://www.finishright.com/

Advancing to next month's Empire State Games in Binghamton are alumnus Ted Santaniello--who served last season as an interim assistant coach for the Cardinals--took second in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes in 11.46 and 23.08 seconds, respectively. Hometown product Schuyler Field, who will be a sophomore in 2009, also had a runner-up finish in the pole vault at 14 feet and 5-1/4 inches.

Assistant coach Greg Wisser won the decathlon with 5,429 points while alumna Jenny Hutchinson (10-6 in the pole vault) and junior-to-be Kathryn O'Leary (1:08.56 in the 400m intermediate hurdles) captured first place in their respective events.

The following individuals just missed the cut-off for state qualification including junior-to-be Jordan Bieber who was third in the 400IH (59.51 seconds); sophomore-to-be Josh Mockus who was third in the 400m (53.02); sophomore-to-be Brian Mockus who went third in the decathlon (5128 points); alumnus Mike Castine who came in third in the shot put (45-91/4); and senior-to-be Matt Medeiros who finished fourth in the 3k steeplechase (10:16.68).

Results from other regional trials--Central, Hudson Valley, Long Island, New York City and Western--involving current or former Cardinals are not available.

June 5, 2008

Trio Named ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Plattsburgh State seniors Allison Busby, Alyssa Recny and Toni Wiszowaty were named on Thursday to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District 1 Women's Cross Country/Track&Field College Division First Team, and now advance to the national ballot for this prestigious program presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The CoSIDA Academic All-America team will be announced on June 25. The Cardinals are the only school to have a trio in District 1 from either University (Division I) or College Division, and join only Minnesota in University District 5 and Texas Lutheran in College District 6 with three representatives for national consideration. VIEW FULL CoSIDA RELEASE

The CoSIDA program is selected by its members from NCAA Division II-III, NAIA schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Canadian schools of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec. To be eligible, a nominee must have at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average with a one-year residency at their institution and be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic statistics.

Busby (New Paltz/Vestal Seton Catholic High School) was a second-team academic all-district choice as a junior. She earned All-America honors with an 8th-place finish last fall after helping the Cardinals to the national runner-up trophy at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. She carries a 3.94 overall GPA as a nutrition major, winning the 2008 Richard D. Semmler Award to honor the highest GPA for a female senior student-athlete at Plattsburgh.

An AuSable Valley Central HS product from Keeseville, Recny is a two-time All-American this academic year after taking 25th place at the Division III cross country meet and capturing the NCAA 10,000-meter run for outdoor track. Like Busby, a member of the Scholar All-America Team from the U.S. Track&Field Cross Country Coaches Association, Recny has compiled a 3.93 GPA as an English language arts major.

Wiszowaty, of Shirley (William Floyd HS), was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 10K and No. 3 in the 5K, but couldn't compete in the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships due to injury. She won the 10K race at the famous Penn Relays in 33 minutes and 57 seconds that set an Olympic Trials "B" standard, SUNYAC and school records and ranks in the Top 5 all-time for Division III. She captained the cross country team to its best NCAA showing in school history, placed second at the regional meet and helped the Cardinals to their first-ever Atlantic Regional title. The elementary education (English) major has a 3.95 GPA.

May 24, 2008

Cardinals End Track Season at NCAA Championships

OSHKOSH, Wis. - The Plattsburgh State outdoor women's track and field team concluded its third-straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Championships with points on Saturday at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium, finishing in 60th place. The three-day event wrapped up this afternoon on the campus of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

The Cardinals scored four points to tie six other schools. Wisconsin-River Falls and Illinois Wesleyan shared the team title with 35 points apiece. The host Titans were T-7th with 24. There were 83 scoring teams.

Senior Toni Wiszowaty, who was ranked No. 3 going into today's 5,000-meter run, did not compete due to injury. Wiszowaty also couldn't run in Thursday's 10K, but still holds the nation's top time of 33 minutes and 57.46 seconds for this year. She ends her collegiate career with six All-America citations in cross country and track, plus numerous school and facility records.

May 22, 2008

Recny is an All-American in the 10,000 Meters

OSHKOSH, Wis. - Plattsburgh State senior Alyssa Recny earned All-America status in the 10,000-meter run after finishing in fifth place Thursday during the opening day of the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium on the campus of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. This marks her first All-America finish in track after earning similar accolades during the cross country season last fall. RACE RESULTS

Recny recorded a season's best time of 35 minutes and 55.61 seconds, which was just 10.61 seconds off the winning pace by Esther Erb of Case Western Reserve. In making her final appearance in a Cardinals uniform, Recny made a dramatic jump from her No. 14 event ranking going into Nationals.

Teammate Toni Wiszowaty, who was ranked first in the nation in the 10K, did not compete due to a nagging injury. The senior will try to race the 5K on Saturday at 4:55 p.m.

May 22, 2008

Wiszowaty Tabbed Top Athlete for Atlantic Region

NEW ORLEANS - Plattsburgh State distance runner Toni Wiszowaty has been named the U.S. Track&Field Coaches Association Atlantic Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year. The senior from Shirley, N.Y. (William Floyd High School) was one of 32 coaches and student-athletes representing each of the eight regions in NCAA Division III to receive awards. READ USTFCCCA RELEASE

Wiszowaty is six-time All-American during her four-year career with the Cardinals, NCAA Woman of the Year nominee by the State University of New York Athletic Conference after leading Plattsburgh to a national runner-up finish in the 2007 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships and automatic qualifying for the NCAA III Outdoor Track Championships in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. She has twice finished second in the latter at the national outdoor meet.

Wiszowaty has held the nation's top mark in the 10,000 for the last two seasons, currently listing a time of 33 minutes and 57.46 seconds. In fact, she recorded that performance in an easy win at the prestigious Penn Relays April 24th to set an Olympic Trials "B" standard, SUNYAC and school benchmark and a time that ranks fifth all-time in NCAA III. She ranks third on the Division III 5,000 Performance List at 16:54.70, winning another race against a Division I-II scholarship-dominated field at the Bucknell Bison Classic on April 11.

In addition, she's a candidate for the following accolades at the end of the spring track schedule: All-America (2x), USTFCCCA Scholar All-America Team, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America, Academic All-SUNYAC and Commissioner's List.

May 22, 2008

Busby, Wiszowaty Receive Department Awards

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Toni Wiszowaty is the recipient of the Plattsburgh State Female Senior Achievement Award for 2007-08 in balloting by coaches and administrative staff from the Department of Sport&Wellness. Wiszowaty was named this month during the Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony in the Warren Ballroom of the Angell College Center. In addition, fellow distance track and cross country standout Allison Busby received the Richard D. Semmler Award to honor the senior-academic standing women's student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average.

Wiszowaty, a six-time All-American in cross country and track & field, has won four State University of New York Athletic Conference championships--three in track and the 2006 conference cross country title--and captained the 2007 Cardinals to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Division III Cross-Country Championships. She holds more than 10 school and conference records as well as top marks at facilities around the Northeast. (Wiszowaty with College President Dr. John Ettling/Photo by Kerry Chapin, Plattsburgh Sports Information Office.)

At the presitigious Penn Relays last month, she bested a Division I-dominated field to win the College Division 10,000-meter run with a time of 33 minutes and 57 seconds, setting an Olympic Trials "B" standard, NCAA Championships automatic-qualifying and a SUNYAC record while ranking first in Division III this season and in the Top 10 all-time.

Wiszowaty is an education major and English minor from Shirley (William Floyd High School).

Busby (New Paltz/Vestal Seton Catholic HS) has a 3.94 GPA as a nutrition major, and is a candidate for ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. She was named to the All-America Scholar Team in the fall by the U.S. Track&Field Cross Country Coaches Association.

May 19, 2008

Trio Chosen for NCAA Field

INDIANAPOLIS - Three Plattsburgh State student-athletes have been selected for the 2008 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, including seniors Jeff Dobson, Toni Wiszowaty and Alyssa Recny. The Division III Track and Field Committee announced on Monday that 688 participants will be going to the championships held this Thursday through Saturday at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. READ NCAA RELEASE

Click on the logo for the official site hosted by Wis.-Oshkosh

Wiszowaty is an automatic qualifier in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. She is ranked No. 1 in the latter with a time of 33 minutes and 57.46 seconds, she set April 24 with an impressive win at the prestigious Penn Relays to earn the fifth-best mark in NCAA history. She is third in the former with a clocking of 16:54.7 after winning the 5K at the April 12 Bucknell Bison Classic. She is a two-time All-American in the 10K outdoor event and a 2007 in-/outdoor 5K All-America performer.

"After being the 10K runner-up for two years in a row and a 5K All-American twice, there probably is not a more deserving athlete competing for a national championship," Plattsburgh State coach John Lynch said of Wiszowaty. "I would look for a conservative race from most of the competitors because everyone will be keying off what Toni does, and they know she is more than capable of hanging onto whatever pace they decide to run. We have not decided yet about strategy, but the basic laws of racing are going to be her main focus: stay in position and react to any move anybody makes."

Recny is 14th in the 10K with a provisional time of 36:21.87, earning the mark at the Penn Relays. She is making her second straight appearance in the event at the NCAA outdoor meet.

"After garnering her first All-America honor in the fall with cross country, Alyssa will be looking to grab another this weekend. She is entering Nationals with a lower seed than last year, but her qualifying time is faster," Lynch said. "I think she is going to be primed for a big-time performance in the last race of her historic career at Plattsburgh State."

Wiszowaty and Recny will both open for the Cardinals Thursday in the 10K, beginning at 6 p.m. (Central Daylight-Savings Time). Wiszowaty is scheduled in the 5K at 3:55 p.m. (CDT) Saturday.

Dobson will be making his NCAA debut after qualifying as a provisional in the 400-meter dash. He first reached the standard on May 10 at the New Balance/New York City Qualifying Challenge in 48.26 seconds to break a 10-year school record. He followed up that performance with a victory Friday at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships in Springfield, Mass., in 48.29.

"I am so happy for Jeff that in his last season of college competition he has gotten a SUNYAC championship at 400m, 1600 relay and an ECAC 400m title. The 400m is a race where everyone is so close that on any given day anyone can do anything, and I think Jeff has a lot of momentum going into this meet that he can do something special," said Lynch. "This is the last meet of his career, so I am sure he would like to end his Plattsburgh career with a Top 8 finish and become our first sprint All-American since Chris Verkey in 2000.

"This year there was a coaching change and a lot of his teammates decided not to run any more, (but) Jeff decided to be a great leader, a captain, and completely buy into the program we are putting in place."

The 400m trials are slated for Friday at 5:35 p.m. (CDT), and the finals are at 2:20 p.m. (CDT) Saturday. Each heat winner, plus the next six fastest times, advance to the championship race. Dobson is in the first heat.

For more information regarding the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, log on to www.ncaasports.com

Student-athletes qualified for the championships by reaching the automatic and provisional standards established for each event. The complete list of qualifiers is available on the following Web site: www.raceberryjam.com/indexid.html . This Web site is maintained by Apple Raceberry Jam, a computer services company that provides results for track and field and cross country meets.

May 17, 2008

Peters-Uitto Sets School Heptathlon Record at ECACs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Junior Leena Peters-Uitto set a school record in the heptathlon to highlight the Plattsburgh State women's track and field team results at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships. The two-day event concluded late Friday on the campus of Springfield College. The Cardinals scored 11 points to finish in 29th place out of 53 scoring schools, and Moravian won the team title with 57. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Peters-Uitto had 3,977 points to end up fifth in the heptathlon, breaking the previous record held by Marcy Moffe who had 3,913 in 1985. That was the oldest outdoor record in Plattsburgh annals, with the 4x800 meter relay in 9 minutes and 39.88 seconds set in 1987 replacing it. Peters-Uitto's best event was the long jump, which she won with a leap of 16 feet and 31/4 inches, or 4.96 meters, to earn 548 points. She also had a third-place showing in the high jump in 4-111/2 ( 1.51m) for 632.

Shannon Young, a sophomore, went eighth in the shot put with a heave of 38-71/2 (11.77m) for the Cardinals' other Top 10 effort on the day.

May 16, 2008

Cardinals Stand 11th after Day One at ECACs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field team is 11th out of 25 scoring schools at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships that wrapped up Day One late Thursday on the campus of Springfield College. With six points, the Cardinals are tied with Oswego, Smith College and Ursinus. Friday's action is set for 10 a.m. DAY ONE RESULTS

Sophomore Jennifer Schaffhouser led the Cardinals with a third-place finish in the 10,000-meter run in 38 minutes and 37.86 seconds.

"Jenny was a headliner for us today. She ran a 47-second personal-best in her second 10k ever. It was perhaps her single greatest race of her career thus far," said Plattsburgh coach John Lynch. "She went through the halfway point in 10th place and moved up consistently in the second half. Her second 5k part was 21 seconds faster than her first."

Junior Leena Peters-Uitto is fifth after four heptathlon events with 2,423 points. "Leena is nearing a personal record in points with this event," Lynch said.

Moravian leads the team standings with 26 points and the host Pride are 10th with seven.

May 12, 2008

Wiszowaty Featured by TrackShark.com

SPENCER, Mass. - Senior All-America distance runner Toni Wiszowaty (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd High School) was recently profiled on TrackShark.com, the national leader in college track and field coverage since 2002. She discusses her impressive 10,000-meter win at the Penn Relays, the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships, training regimen and much more. To read Toni's complete interview, please click on this link or go to http://www.trackshark.com .

May 12, 2008

Young has Breakout Meet at Icahn Stadium

RANDALL'S ISLAND, N.Y. - Sophomore Shannon Young had her best performance in the shot put to highlight the Plattsburgh State women's track and field team's outing at the New Balance/NYC Qualifying Challenge over the weekend. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Young turned in a heave of 40 feet and 2-1/4 inches, or 12.25 meters, to finish in second place in her event. She bested her previous personal record by more than a half-meter, crossing the 12-meter plateau for the first time in her collegiate career.

"Shannon Young had a breakout meet, and she shattered the barrier of 12 meters," Plattsburgh coach John Lynch said.

The 4x400-meter relay unit of Kathryn O'Leary, Jennifer Risler, Jen Modzel and Mahalia Ewers won in 4 minutes and 0.14 seconds, taking 9 seconds off their indoor time and breaking the school outdoor record by over a second.

"This is an emerging event for our women's track program," Lynch said. "All of the relay members are underclassmen so the record should be broken many more times in the years to come."

Amber Heath had the Cardinals top individual finish on the track in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.39 seconds for sixth place.

"We are starting to look at our sport from an individual standpoint now as we approach ECAC's and NCAA's," Lynch said, "and would really like to see some big-time performances during the next two weekends."

May 3, 2008

Cardinals Beat Oneonta in Dual May Meet

ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's outdoor track and field took eight first-place events to help the Cardinals defeat host Oneonta by a combined score (with the men), 134-129, in the 7th annual Red Dragons Dual May Meet on Saturday. COMPLETE RESULTS

"(Meet organizers) combined men's and women's teams into one team and scored it that way", said Plattsburgh coach John Lynch. "It was a fun, competitive meet. A good culmination of the season for some of our student-athletes."

Freshman Mahalia Ewers was a three-time winner in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in 13.0 and 26.42 seconds, respectively, as well as in the mixed 4x100 relay squad as the first leg in 47.85.

Kaylan Ostrander also was a multi-winner in high jump at 4 feet, 71/2 inches (or 1.41 meters) and javelin throw at 93-9 (28.57m).

Other Cardinals victories included Krystal Yernye in the 400m hurdles in 1 minute and 15.67 seconds, Leena Peters-Uitto in the triple jump at 34-31/2 (10.45m) and Shannon Young in the shot put at 38-1/4 (11.59m) for a new meet record and Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship qualifier.

Apr. 26, 2008

Plattsburgh Winds Up Sixth at SUNYACs

CORTLAND, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's outdoor track and field team scored 63 points to finish in sixth place at the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships hosted by Cortland State, which wrapped up on Saturday. Geneseo won the team title with 165 and the host Red Dragons were second with 143. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Toni Wiszowaty repeated her 2007 title in the 5,000-meter run with a winning time of 17 minutes and 11.89 seconds. Teammate Alyssa Recny was third in 18:00.71.

Mahalia Ewers also had a Top 3 finish on the track in the 400-meter dash in 59.9 seconds.

Jacquelyn Boyea had the Cardinals top field performance with a third-place showing in the javelin throw at 102 feet, or 31.10 meters. Shannon Young went fourth in the shot put at 37 feet and 6-3/4 inches (11.45m).

Apr. 25, 2008

Schaffhouser Paces Plattsburgh on SUNYACs Day One

CORTLAND, N.Y. - Sophomore Jennifer Schaffhouser placed third in the 10,000-meter run to lead the Plattsburgh State women's outdoor track and field team after the first day of the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships hosted by Cortland State. The two-day event wraps up on Saturday. Schaffhouser had a time of 39 minutes and 25.02 seconds to score six points for the Cardinals, who are tied for sixth in the team standings with 11. RESULTS

Shannon Young, another sophomore, also scored for Plattsburgh in the shot put with a heave of 37 feet and 6-3/4 inches (or 11.45 meters). Young's fourth-place showing netted five points.

Apr. 24, 2008

Wiszowaty Breezes Past Penn Relays Field

PHILADELPHIA - Plattsburgh State's Toni Wiszowaty took first place in the women's College 10,000-meter run at the Division I-dominated Penn Relays late Thursday evening, recording a time of 33 minutes and 57 seconds to set an Olympic Trials "B" standard, NCAA Championships automatic-qualifying and a State University of New York Athletic Conference record. Wiszowaty demolished a field of NCAA I-II scholarship student-athletes and Olympic Development competitors, recording a time in the event that ranks in the Top 10 all-time in Division III (http://www.cmsathletics.org/ncaa/d3tracklist-w?dec =)

"The Penn Relays went awesome," Cardinals coach John Lynch said.

In addition, Alyssa Recny and Allison Busby both provisionally qualified for the NCAAs in the same event, finishing 12th in 36:21 for a personal best and 18th in 36:49, respectively.

"Toni blew it wide open winning by over 40 seconds, and closing her last 5km in 16:52 that is faster than she has raced a 5km thus far this season," he said. " I am very happy for Toni because this race was the biggest one of her career and she came away with a win. People come from all over the world to compete at this meet, so it is prestigious to be a Penn Relays champion and it is even more impressive to win in the style that she did."

Lynch said that he was proud of the running trio's performance, shifting attention to the SUNYAC Championships that run Friday and Saturday at Cortland State.

Apr. 20, 2008

Distance Runners Shine at Hamilton Invitational

CLINTON, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's outdoor track and field team had some solid performances during the Hamilton Invitational on Saturday at the Pritchard Track Complex. Toni Wiszowaty and Allison Busby went 1-2 in the 1500-meter run with Eastern College Athletic Conference qualifying times and personal bests of 4 minutes and 43.46 seconds and 4:49.40, respectively. Teammate Alyssa Recny also finished fourth in 4:55.38. The trio also returned in the 800m with Wiszowaty in fourth (2:25.33), Busby sixth (2:26.14) and Recny was 11th (2:32.56). COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

"They were competing in shorter races as a tune-up for the Penn Relays and SUNYAC Championships this weekend," Plattsburgh coach John Lynch said.

Jennifer Risler in the 400-meter dash (1:04.03, 5th) and Amber Heath in the 200m (27.86 seconds, 7th) qualified for the State University of New York Athletic Conference meet in their last chance. Kathryn O'Leary qualified for ECAC's with a personal best in the 400m at 1:00.44 for second place.

Leena Peters-Uitto also completed a heptathlon using results from the last Saint Lawrence meet and this event with a score of 3650, placing her in the ECAC's.

"We have been very solid the past three weeks and even while working hard during the week we have been able to put together some great performances," Lynch said. "The team has definitely been calloused by a tough indoor season and I think we are going into the SUNYAC Championships a tougher team than we were in indoor track. The past three weeks have shown me that we have a great shot to score more points than we did in indoor. We have definitely put things together at the right time.

"What was really nice to see was even when we put some of our best athletes in foreign events for them, they were still able to come away with qualifying performances and even some wins."

Apr. 15, 2008

Cardinals Record Seven SUNYAC Qualifiers

CANTON, N.Y. - Leena Peters-Uitto and Jacquelyn Boyea paced the Plattsburgh State women's outdoor track and field team's day at the Saint Lawrence University Tuesday Open held at the Merrick-Pinkard Track and Field Complex, with double-qualifying standards for the State University of New York Athletic Championships. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Peters-Uitto qualified in the 100-meter high hurdles with a time of 16.44 seconds for first place and in the high jump at 4 feet and 11-3/4 inches (1.52m) for another winning performance.

Boyea will be going to SUNYACs after placing third in the javelin (96-5, 29.39m) and sixth in the discus (99-9, 30.40m). Kaylan Ostrander also qualified for the conference javelin at 87-9, or 26.76m, which was good for fifth. Briana Catts improved on her distance in the discus at 106-0 (32.31m) for fourth.

Also qualifying for SUNYACs in their events were Jen Modzel in the 400-meter dash (1:04.22, 9th) and Stephanie Adamczyk in the hammer throw (113-11, 34.72m, 6th).

In addition, Ostrander had a season's best in the high jump (4-73/4, 1.42m, T-3rd), Peters-Uitto in the 200m (28.33, 3rd) and Nicole Prenoveau in the 400m (1:05.09, 12th).

Apr. 14, 2008

Wiszowaty Earns SUNYAC Track-Athlete of the Week

FREDONIA, N.Y. - Plattsburgh State senior Toni Wiszowaty (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd High School) has been named the female track athlete of the week by the State University of New York Athletic Conference, it was announced on Monday. The period ended Sunday.

Wiszowaty defeated a field of 27 finishers in the 5,000-meter Invitational run at the NCAA Division I-II dominated Bucknell Bison Outdoor Classic over the weekend. She recorded a winning time of 16 minutes and 54.7 seconds, a personal record for the season, NCAA Championships automatic qualifier, and the best mark to date in Division III.

Apr. 12, 2008

Wiszowaty Victorious in 5,000M Invitational Bison Outdoor Classic

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Toni Wiszowaty of Plattsburgh State defeated a field of 27 finishers in the 5,000-meter Invitational run during the opening day of the Bucknell Bison Women's Track and Field Outdoor Classic. She recorded a winning time of 16 minutes and 54.7 seconds, a season's best and NCAA automatic qualifier, in a race that featured mostly NCAA Division I-II student-athletes. In addition, Alyssa Recny came in 12th place (17:33.41) and Allison Busby was 20th (17:44.64) in the same race. COMPLETE RESULTS

"Toni is regaining her old form rapidly now, and her time also gave her the top time in the nation for Division III this season" said Cardinals head coach John Lynch. "Alyssa ran her personal best in the 5K, despite transitioning her training over to 10K in the past month since indoor track ended."

In the 1,500m version, Jen Modzel came in 19th out of 51 runners with a clocking of 4:59.16. And Jennifer Schaffhouser posted a time of 18:51.43 in the 5,000m version for 29th.

The second day, which concluded Saturday evening, featured more Top 20 Cardinals performances by Kathryn O'Leary who was sixth overall and tops among Division III runners in the 400m hurdles at 1:06.59; Mahalia Ewers 14th overall and second among D-III in the 400m-dash in 1:00.69; Shannon Young 16th in the shot put in 37 feet and 10-1/2 inches; and Amber Heath 20th in the 100m in 13.18 seconds.

"Mahalia was another big contributor as she anchored the ECAC-qualifying 4x100m relay, ran an ECAC-qualifying time in the open 400m, a SUNYAC-qualifying time in the open 200m and anchored the 4x400m relay team to a SUNYAC qualifier," Lynch said. "Kathryn also made ECAC's in her individual event, and also teamed on both relays.

"We had great performances across the board. This meet was really a breakthrough competition for us. I am not sure if I have seen us perform this well as a team before," he said. "After Williams, I knew we were getting hot at the right time and it definitely carried over into this meet. We have had a fair share of qualifiers, so now it is time to go back to work and try to get some more big improvements by the time our championship seasons roll around. We will also be looking to carry some of this momentum over into next week as we compete at St. Lawrence and Hamilton for last chance SUNYAC qualifying opportunities," he said.

Apr. 5, 2008

Women Impress at Williams Quadrangular

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field team excelled in its second meet of the outdoor season at Williams College on Saturday, a four-school event featuring the host Ephs, NCAA Division II College of Saint Rose and Division I Siena College. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Cardinal throwers dominated as they won three of four events including Stephanie Adamczyk in the hammer (33.81 meters); Briana Catts in the discus (34.19) by almost 4 meters over teammates Emily McLaughlin and Jacquelyn Boyea, who finished second and third; and Shannon Young in the shot put with an Eastern College Athletic Conference-qualifying mark of 11.51m. Adamczyk's heave put her in the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships.

On the track, Toni Wiszowaty took first place in the 1500-meter run with an ECAC-qualifying time of 4 minutes and 44.8 seconds, which was a personal record. She won by 4 seconds over Sara Wild of host Williams. Plattsburgh also claimed the third, fifth and sixth spots by Allison Busby, Alyssa Recny and Jen Modzel. Busby's 4:50.67 clocking is also an ECAC-qualifying standard, and Recny (5:06.94) and Modzel (5:09.7) are SUNYAC qualifiers.

Mahalia Ewers was the runner-up in the 400-meter dash in 1:01.84 for another SUNYAC qualifier.

"This early in the outdoor season, we try to use a meet as a rust buster and put people in certain events they haven't done in a while, or just try to compete with newly learned methods or strategies. This weekend we did just that and had some great success," said Cardinals head coach John Lynch.

"Despite chilly weather and soggy throwing areas, our team was able to put it together today," Lynch said. "There is definitely room for improvement performance-wise, but I am very proud of how competitive we were today. For us to come out in our second outdoor event and compete in every event across the board really impressed me."

Mar. 31, 2008

Cardinals Win Two Events in Season Opener

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field team recently competed in its first outdoor meet of the season at the Glendale Community College Invitational.

Toni Wiszowaty won the 5,000-meter run with a NCAA provisional time of 17 minutes and 25.77 seconds, and Jen Modzel took first place in the 1500m with a SUNYAC-time of 5:16.16.

Plattsburgh also received strong performances from Nicole Prenoveau (2nd, 1500m, 5:37.26, Personal Record), Krystal Yernye (2nd, steeplechase, 14:18.09) and the 4x400 relay squad of Prenoveau, Modzel, Yernye, and Lauren Nescio (2nd place).

"We found it hard to compete at Sea Level after being up at 7,000 feet of altitude for a week. I think our bodies were put through a lot in the seven days prior to the competition both in training and adapting to a new environment," said Cardinals head coach John Lynch. "Jen Modzel had a great tactical race, but she can definitely run a faster time. She sat on the leader for three laps and won by 3 seconds over the last half of a lap."

Mar. 8, 2008

Cardinals End Up in Upper Half at ECAC Championships

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Plattsburgh State scored 12 points to finish in 25th-place out of 51 scoring teams at the 2008 Eastern College Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Track&Field Championships hosted by Harvard University. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

In the 5,000-meter run, Toni Wiszowaty and Alyssa Recny placed fourth and seventh with times of 17 minutes and 27.31 seconds and 17:40.45, respectively. Leena Peters-Uitto also scored team points in the pentathlon with a fourth-place showing (2837 points), going third in both the shot put and 800m-dash.

"Toni hit the provisional standard despite her shoe being knocked off by a competitor with a mile to go," said head coach John Lynch. "She ended up missing the NCAA cut this morning though by one spot as the NCAA took the smallest field in recent history for the women's 5-kilometer--three fewer competitors than the previous two years."

Mar. 2, 2008

Cardinals have Season-High ECAC Qualifiers at NYU Fastrack

NEW YORK CITY - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field team had its best meet so far this season for qualifying to the Eastern College Athletic Conference Indoor Championships, recording some solid performances at the NYU Fastrack Invitational over the weekend. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Alyssa Recny won the 5,000-meter run in 17 minutes and 36.95 seconds, defeating several competitors from NCAA Division I and II levels. Teammate Toni Wiszowaty was third in 17:46.98 in her first outing.

The 4x800m relay squad of Jen Modzel, Nicole Prenoveau, Lauren Nescio and Lisa Perez were ECAC qualifiers with a time of 10:07.01, which was good for fourth place as the top non-Division I entry. Modzel also made ECAC's in the 1000m with a 3:09.08 time.

Freshman Mahalia Ewers missed the ECAC cut in the 400-m dash by .11 seconds, but she recorded a season's best in the event.

"We had a better weekend than our previous effort at SUNYACs," Cardinals head coach John Lynch said. "We had valiant efforts by Toni and Alyssa in their attempts for NCAA qualification, but came up just short. They will give it another go next weekend at ECAC's.

"Alyssa ran a strong race in the 5k, but she faded a little bit in the last 400 meters. (But) she should come on strong next weekend," he said. "Toni had a tough time in her first race since the cross country national meet in the fall, but I think she should bounce back strong in the 5km at ECAC's against a good field."

Feb. 23, 2008

Cardinals have 8th-Place SUNYAC Showing

GENEVA, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's indoor track and field team notched 20-1/2 points for an eighth-place finish at Saturday's State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships hosted by Hobart and William Smith College in Bristol Field House. Cortland won the team title with 155 points. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

The Cardinals were paced by senior Alyssa Recny who had an Eastern College Athletic Conference qualifying time in the 3,000-meter run of 10 minutes and 33.16 seconds, which was good for runner-up honors.

Feb. 12, 2008

Runners Shine at Boston University Meet

BOSTON - Runners from the Plattsburgh State women's indoor track and field team put together solid performances at the NCAA Division I-dominated Boston University Valentine Invitational over the weekend. All told, the Cardinals had one Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships qualifier and 13 for the State University of New York Athletic Conference meet. COMPLETE RESULTS

Senior Alyssa Recny led the way in the 5K run with a time of 17 minutes and 38.27 seconds, bettering her previous personal best by 16 seconds. She barely missed the NCAA Division III provisional standard, but improved her ECAC qualifying standing.

Another big personal best came from Lisa Perez in the 800m with a time of 2:26.59. Plattsburgh coach John Lynch said: "Lisa ran a 2:44 two years ago and did not run as a sophomore, but has worked hard this fall to get to where she is now. She is a totally different athlete now and should continue to improve."

The Cardinals produced four SUNYAC qualifiers in the 400m, including Kathryn O'Leary (1:01.21), Mahalia Ewers (1:02.75), Melonie Capen (1:04.27) and Jennifer Risler (1:05.07). The foursome also got together to better their 1600-relay time with a 4:15.75.

Another big improvement came from junior Jen Modzel who lowered her time from last weekend in the 1-mile by 12 seconds with a clocking of 5:33.43.

Shannon Young, in the shot put, had the team's best showing in the field with a heave of 35 feet and 8 inches for 34th place.

Feb. 5, 2008

Recny, Ewers Pace Cardinals at Dartmouth

HANOVER, N.H. - Mahalia Ewers and Alyssa Recny qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in their respective events after competing at the Dartmouth Classic in Leverone Field House over the weekend. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Ewers, a freshman, finished eighth overall in the 500-meter dash in which she won her heat in a time of 1 minute and 22.16 seconds, which qualified her by over a second and two seconds more than her previous personal record.

"Mahalia is a very driven athlete internally and when she sets her mind to something she will accomplish it," Plattsburgh State coach John Lynch said. "At our first meet of the season, she barely missed qualifying and she has wanted it real bad since. I am happy she accomplished her goal."

Rency, a senior, finished third in the 3,000-meter run with a personal-best 10:33.91, which was enough to qualify for the ECACs.

Lisa Perez (5:44.24) and Jen Modzel (5:44.44) also qualified for the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships in the 1-mile run, Kathryn O'Leary with a season's best in the 400m of 1:02.96 and Melonie Capen in the same event at 1:06.26. Stephanie Adamczyck qualified in the weight throw (35 feet, 21/2 inches) and Kaylan Ostrander in the triple jump (31-21/2).

"Things are really starting to come together for both squads; we have a solid core group that have qualified for SUNYACs," Lynch said. "Now, we are just trying to get more individuals into ECACs and NCAAs.

"That will be one of our main goals going into the highly competitive meet at Boston University next weekend. We hope to come home with some great performances. Today was a great stepping stone for us to do so."

Jan. 29, 2008

Recny Honored by SUNYAC

FREDONIA, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference has named Plattsburgh State senior Alyssa Recny its indoor track female athlete of the week, for the period ending Sunday. It's her first SUNYAC weekly honor of her career.

The Keeseville AuSable Valley High School product ran a personal-best time in the 5,000-meter run at the Division I Boston University Terrier Invitational, winning her heat and placing 14th out of 29 athletes in 17 minutes and 54.24 seconds.

Jan. 26, 2008

Seven Qualifiers for SUNYAC Championships Highlight Weekend

CANTON, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field team sent limited split squads to the Saints Indoor Invitational hosted by Saint Lawrence University and the Terrier Invitational hosted by Boston University. SLU MEET RESULTS and BU MEET RESULTS

At SLU, seven Cardinals qualified for the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships. Mahalia Ewers placed fourth in the 400-meter dash in 62.66 seconds; Krystal Yernye came in seventh in the mile run in 5 minutes and 42.55 seconds; Kathryn O'Leary ran a 1:03.8 in the 400m; and Lisa Perez, a 2:31.75 in the 800.

Three Cardinals reached in the field events: Stephani Adamczyk, 10th at 36 feet and 93/4 inches, and Briana Catts, 11th at 36-71/2, in the weight throw; and Kaylan Ostrander was 14-3 in the long jump.

Noel Womack ran a personal-best of 4:41.47 in the mile, but just missed qualifying for SUNYACs.

In Boston, against a field dominated by NCAA Division I and II programs and unattached competitors, Alyssa Recny was 14th in the 5000m with a clocking of 17:54.24 and Shannon Young was 19th in the shot put at 34-101/2.

Jan. 19, 2008

Cardinals Make 2008 Debut at Saints Indoor Classic

CANTON, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field squad opened the 2008 calendar year on Saturday with a third-place finish at the Saints Indoor Classic hosted by Saint Lawrence University. The Cardinals posted 60 points. COMPLETE MEET RESULTS

Stephanie Adamczyk had a breakthrough performance in the weight throw with a heave of 38 feet and 73/4 inches (11.78 meters), which bested her season's best by 11/2 meters. Senior Toni Wiszowaty qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships with a win in the mile, clocking in 5 minutes and 12.67 seconds. Other top Cardinal performers included Mahalia Ewers in the 500-meter dash (1:24.24; 3rd place), Kathryn O'Leary in the 400m (1:04.32; 1st place) and Amber Heath in the 55m (7.96; 3rd place)--all qualifiers for the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships.

"I am quite impressed with our newcomers (so far)," Plattsburgh head coach John Lynch said after the meet. "We don't have a huge squad this year and lack some numbers in certain areas, but the people who did come in this year have done a fantastic job stepping up to the plate. They spent five weeks at home for the semester break and have come back in phenomenal shape. I am confident things will get better as the season continues."

Dec. 8, 2007

Cardinals Make Season Debut at Saint Lawrence

CANTON, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's track and field squad kicked off the 2007-08 season under new head coach John Lynch at Saturday's SLU Holiday Relays in the Newell Fieldhouse. This was a non-team scoring meet. Click here for complete meet results.

Leena Peters-Uitto competed in three events and qualified for the State University of New York Athletic Conference championships in the high jump and 55-meter hurdles.

"She is much improved from a year ago and is going to be one of our stronger performers throughout the season," Lynch said.

Cardinal throwers comprised four of the team's 10 SUNYAC qualifiers today, including Shannon Young who finished in second place in the shot put with a throw of 36 feet and 9 inches. The women also showed strength in the 400m as freshman Mahalia Ewers and senior Lauren Nescio both qualified for SUNYACs.

"We did what we wanted to do today, which was to see what our freshman could do and get some rust off because it was our first indoor meet," Lynch said. "The team worked great together. They supported each other throughout the meet, which is something we are working on improving.

"Now we go into a five-week training cycle before returning to St. Lawrence on January 12th. We will look to start to see how we stack up as a team then."

Lynch held out most of the team's middle- and long-distance runners to get some rest after a long cross country season this fall.

Nov. 29, 2007

Lynch Takes Coaching Reins, Santaniello Added to Staff

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Plattsburgh State athletics director Bruce Delventhal has formally announced that John Lynch will serve as the director of cross country and track&field and Ted Santaniello will be an assistant coach for the Cardinals track and field teams.

"Ted brings a lot to the table. He is a former captain of this program and a former school record holder. He also has experience working with some of the best speed coaches in the country and will bring some new ideas to the program. So he has some top-level experience," Lynch said. "Ted is also a championship athlete and has always performed at the highest level under difficult circumstances. That ability will show through in his coaching."

Santaniello, of Ticonderoga High School, is a 2006 Plattsburgh graduate with a degree in psychology and a minor in personal training. A two-time NCAA qualifier, he helped set four indoor and outdoor school records during his four-year men's track career with the Cardinals. He was a three-time State University of New York Athletic Conference gold medalist in the 400-meter dash, 2005 outdoor 1600m relay and 2006 outdoor 1600m relay--breaking facility records for the last two events and setting a 25-year-old SUNYAC championship benchmark of 3 minutes and 17.69 seconds in the 2006 outdoor 1600 relay.

Lynch just completed his third season as head cross country coach in style, leading the Cardinals to a national runner-up trophy at the NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championships in Northfield, Minn. The program this season set school records for best NCAA finish (2nd), highest national ranking (No. 5), consecutive weeks in the coaches' Top 35 poll (eight) and three All-Americans in the same year (Allison Busby, Alyssa Recny, Toni Wiszowaty). He was named the Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year after the school won its second women's regional title (Plattsburgh won the New York crown in 1998.).

Lynch replaces Brett Willmott, who accepted an assistant track coaching position at the University of Vermont in September.

Coach's Corner

The Plattsburgh State coaching staff creates a family atmosphere for the track and field student-athlete. The environment that we create as coaches (which includes a diverse group of individuals) allows for a learning experience to happen inside and outside the classroom.

While enduring three seasons which span the entire school year it is important to establish a discipline with the student-athletes. This discipline becomes reflective in their overall academic and competitive outcomes. We expect high standards to be met by the student-athletes. These standards are based on consistent evaluation on the track, field, and in the classroom. Within this framework we also promote the overall enjoyment of the collegiate athletics experience.

Outstanding Performances

The Plattsburgh State women's track and field team has a rich history of All-Americans and a National Championship performance.

Eight Cardinals have reached All-America status and Plattsburgh State boasts a National Champion in Kathy Kane, who claimed first place at nationals in the 1500m in 1989.

Plattsburgh's All-American performances have come in a variety of events including:

the 1500 and 800
Long jump
Triple jump.

The women's track & field team, like all intercollegiate athletics teams at Plattsburgh State, focuses on a commitment to competitive excellence, academic achievement, and community service.

Contact Information

For more information about Track & Field at Plattsburgh State, please contact:

John Lynch, Director (Distances)
Phone: (518) 564-4145
E-mail: lynchjp@plattsburgh.edu

Ted Santaniello, Assistant Coach (Sprints)
Phone: (518) 564-4145
E-mail: sant2718@plattsburgh.edu

Plattsburgh State Women's Track & Field

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