SUNYAC Announces 2026 Men's Outdoor Track & Field Top Awards
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SUNYAC releases its 2026 Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, Field Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coaching Staff of the Year awards as voted on by the conference coaches.
Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year – Kyler Alston, Cortland
Alston was the SUNYAC champion in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2026 conference championship. He won the 400-meter hurdles and was part of the 4x400 meter relay team that placed third at the AARTFC championship. For the 2026 season, Alston earned All-Niagara Region honors. He advanced to the NCAA Division III championship where he finished 17th in the 400-meter hurdles.
Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year - Isaiah Brunache, Cortland
For the second year in a row Brunache is honored with the SUNYAC Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year award. The senior also repeated as the conference champion in the shot put and he added a first place medal in the discus throw at the 2026 league championship. At the AARTFC championship, Brunache was named the Most Outstanding Men's Athlete of the Meet after scoring 21 team points over three events. He won the discus in a field of 21 competitors, finished second of 21 in the shot put, and was sixth of 28 in the hammer throw. Brunache was named to the All-Niagara Region team for his performances. He went on to earn All-American status with an eighth-place finish in the discus throw at the NCAA Division III championship. Brunache also placed 18th in the shot put at nationals.
Men's Outdoor Track & Field Rookie of the Year - Ricky Curiel, Buffalo State
Curiel was named the 2026 SUNYAC Rookie of the Meet after scoring the most team points across first-year competitors at the conference championship. At the league meet, he won the 10,000 meter race and was third in the 5,000 meter run. Curiel went on to place seventh in the 10,000 meter run at the AARTFC Regional meet. During his rookie season, Curiel set Buffalo State program records in both the 5,000 (15:10.94) and 10,000 (31:28.81) events.
Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coaching Staff of the Year - Cortland
Steve Patrick, the head coach of the Cortland men's track and field team, is assisted by Chad Dunham, Peter McGinnis, Curtis Merrick, Maris Seabury, Mitch Makowski and Marissa Formes-Patrick. In 2026, the staff led their team to its second straight and 16th overall SUNYAC men's outdoor track and field championship title. The team had three individual champions to help take second place out of 64 schools at the AARTFC championship. Four athletes advanced to the NCAAs where the team finished tied for 68th place out of 116 schools. The Red Dragons had three All-American performances at the national championship and 16 athletes were named All-Niagara Region from the USTFCCCA.
