Bengals sprint into SUNYACs after successful meet at RIT

The Buffalo State men's and women's track and field teams appear ready for next weekend's SUNYAC championships, after each team won five events and set a school record at RIT Friday.

The women entered the meet ranked 10^th in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) rankings this week.    

"We've had a history of finishing higher than what we're ranked at nationals, so to be ranked that high, this really is definitely a testament to how hard (they) have worked, said  assistant coach Dustin Dimit.

Freshman Mariah Brown led the way for the Bengals, ending the day with three first-place finishes.  She won the 200 and 400-meter dashes, with times of 26.32 seconds and 59.04 seconds, respectively.

The Bengals also won the 200-meter relay (1:43.70), as Brown participated with junior Sasha Henry, freshman Nia Holmes, and sophomore Jazmin Dunham.

Brown said even though she posted good results Friday, she knows she can do better.

"I think I can do a lot more. I know I've definitely run faster than those times before," said Brown, who missed most of last week's meet after suffering an injury during one of the events.  "I'm really looking forward to SUNYAC's, and improving some more, hoping to go out for the four (400-meter dash), and break the school record on that."

The 800-meter relay team of freshmen Sabrina Brooks, Nicole Campagna, Ana Rivera, and sophomore Tori DeStefano finished first (9:59.63), while setting a new school record, besting the old mark by more than eight seconds.                

On the men's side, sophomore hurdler Chris Rones won the 60-meter hurdles while setting the new school record (8.38). 

Rones, who raced in his first meet since suffering a hamstring injury, is certainly not short on confidence heading into the SUNYAC championships next weekend. 

"I feel like I have SUNYAC's hands down," he said.  "I really don't feel bothered by SUNYAC's.  The only place that I feel like I have to better myself is (at) ECAC's and nationals, because that's where the top people are going to be at — especially nationals."

Rones was named SUNYAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week, while Smith garnered the award on the women's side for their performances over the weekend.

Other event winners were sophomore Jalen Law in the 60-meter dash (7.03) and freshman Alex Ngabo in the 800-meter run (1:56.56). 

Two relay teams had a good meet for the Bengals as well.  The 200-meter relay team of Law, senior Davon Rollins, freshman Todd Colas, and Brad Borowczuk placed first (1:31.83).  Ngabo, senior Tim Fargino, sophomore Kyle Pilecki, and freshman Nuno Tinoco teamed up to win the 800-meter relay (8:05.15). 

Senior Kyle Abron placed third in the triple jump (13.80m), and freshman Arturo Salas finished third in the 3,000-meter run (9:07.48) to round out the top finishes for the men, who look to defend their SUNYAC team title this weekend.

"Everybody did what we were hoping they would do this week," Dimit said.  "So we're confident that we can go in (to SUNYAC's), and continue to have a top-three finish."

Both the men's and women's teams will compete at the SUNYAC championships this Sunday in Geneva, starting at 9 a.m.  

Aaron Garland can be reached by email at garland.record@live.com.