NEW YORK — After a successful performance at the Youngstown Invite two weekends ago, the Canisius indoor track program will take part in the 2017 MAAC Track and Field Championships beginning Saturday evening from the New Balance Armory Track & Field Center.
The two-day event begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with several trials along with the men’s and women’s 5k and distance medley relay events.
“It should be an interesting Championship because we’ve gone to a two-day format now,” said head coach Nate Huckle. “What I’ve seen with the format is all of the races are stronger than in the past, it should be interesting, and we should get some really good racing out of it.”
On day one, senior Jeff Antolos is expected to have a strong showing in the men’s 5k event, while senior Anna Phillps is also expected to place high in the event for the women.
“Jeff is going up against some very talented Iona runners, but it should be a race that falls into his strength, because of his good kick,” Huckle noted. “He has already qualified for IC4A’s in the 3k and 5k so he should be biding his time and waiting for the kick at the end.
Anna is seeded very high, as she was just a few seconds off the school record. She has the potential to drop some more time there and potentially place in the top eight, maybe top five, if she has a really good race.”
Also on day one, both distance medley relays are projected to see a possible top three finish or higher.
“Our men’s distance medley relay should hopefully place in the top three and even butt heads with Iona for the win on that one,” said Huckle. “On the women’s side they’re only 11 seconds off of a ECAC qualifying time, all of their legs will be fresh and hopefully they can squeak out a third-place finish.”
Other runners of note for the weekend will be senior Brennan Root and junior Carlin Sullivan in their respective 3k events, along with sophomore Siobhan Quinn in the first heat of the 3k.
“Siobhan will be in the slow meet of the 3k, but she can hopefully push for a 10-minute finish,” said Huckle. “Siobhan could have possibly been in the mix for a championship if she was in the championship race, but I’m not going to count her out.
Hopefully come away with several school records, I would like to see Cooper drop his school record in the mile, love to see Siobhan break the 3k record might come away with a few records in the DMR and get the women’s DMR qualified for ECAC’s. Setting us up for Boston will be good, to build some confidence for the ECAC/IC4A meet and then carry that long term into the outdoor season.”
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