STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo track and field head coach Vicki Mitchell announced the addition of Samantha Spinella and Chris Nowak to the Bulls’ 2017 signing class on Friday morning.
Spinella comes to Buffalo after a successful indoor and outdoor track and field season at Depew High School in Depew, NY. She holds a personal best long jump distance of 19′ 2″, which ranked third in the state for the indoor season. Spinella has held the Section VI Champion title and earned podium finishes at the NYS Championships in both indoor and outdoor seasons. Spinella just missed breaking the Section VI indoor long jump record, held by current UB student-athlete Mikayla Pearce. Spinella plans to major in Biomedical Sciences with a future goal of medical school.
Mitchell said, “Sam has been the Section VI Champion and had finishes on the podium at the state championships; she is just beginning to tap into her potential.”
Nowak is a middle distance runner from Sweethome High School in Amherst, NY. He is the NYS Runner-Up in the indoor 1000m run, and has the second fastest time in NYS with a personal best finish of 2:27.20. Nowak’s strengths range from the 800m up to cross country runs. During his senior year, Nowak posted a time of 2:34.32 in the 1000m at the Ithaca Invite. This time was the fastest in the NYS and third fastest in the nation.
Mitchell said, “A local Section VI standout, we are excited to have Chris join our program and continue the reputation of UB’s middle and distance squad.”
