SUNYAC Releases 2024 Women's Outdoor Track and Field Awards
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SUNYAC announces the 2024 Women's Outdoor Track & Field 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.
Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year - Natalia Sawyer, Buffalo State
Sawyer repeated as the national champion in the 400-meter hurdlers in a photo finish, defeating the NCAA record holder in the event. Her time of 58.01 is a Buffalo State and SUNYAC conference record, and ranks NO. 2 all-time in Division III history. Sawyer also finished runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA championships. She broke Buffalo State and SUNYAC records in that event as well, with a time of 13.67. She was a three-time conference champion at the outdoor meet (100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay).
Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year – Makhia Laster, Buffalo State
Laster was the SUNYAC champion, the Regional champion, and the bronze medalist at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in the long jump. She was undefeated in the long jump until the NCAA finals where she finished third in the nation. Her best mark of 5.99m (19'8") is a Buffalo State school record. Laster was the MVP at the conference meet, while also finishing runner-up in the 100-meter and third in the 200-meter.
Women's Outdoor Track & Field Women's Rookie of the Year - Brynn Mooney, Geneseo
In her first year with the Knights, Mooney qualified for the NCAA Division III championships in the 400-meter. She was the SUNYAC champion in the 400-meter at the league championship and also finished second in the 200-meter run. Mooney is ranked No. 2 in school history in the 100 and 200 and she is No. 3 in school history in the 400-meter.
Women's Outdoor Track and Field Coaching Staff of the Year - Geneseo
The Geneseo women's track and field coaching staff is led by head coach Chris Popovici, and he is assisted by Dan Moore, Kyle Rollins, Ashton Fischer, Christian Johnson, Kieran Sheridan, Dan Reynolds and Gwen Shepardson. This season, the Knights won their seventh-straight and 16th overall SUNYAC women's outdoor track and field team title. At the NCAA Division III championship meet two different athletes earned All-American honors and the team finished 20th overall.
