SUNY Cortland Track and field team sent 10 members to the NCAA D3 Track and Field National Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, putting out promising performances, including one All-American finish.
To qualify for the national meet, competitors must be ranked in the top 20 in Division 3 in their respective events, and relays must be ranked in the top 12. Placing within the top eight of an event at the National Championships grants you the honor of ‘All-American’.
For the majority of the Red Dragon athletes in attendance, it was their first time in the bright lights of a national meet — see part 1 —.
However, not every team member was there for their first National Championships. The Red Dragons brought three veteran competitors to Birmingham.
Daniel Fisk made this her third appearance at NCAA’s, the third out of her four seasons at Cortland. The junior had herself quite the indoor season, winning both a SUNYAC and AARTFC championship in the high jump.
Coming into the meet, Fisk was seeded 16th in the nation, and based on tiebreakers, she finished 14th in the field of competitors on a best jump of 1.61 meters (5’ 3.36”).
Going forward, she wants to “work early in the outdoor season to qualify for nationals in May, and work to get the little details down so she can go for the big heights”.
The second of the three ‘returners’ was one of the most dominant forces in Division 3 track and field this past season, Brett Morse.
Until the national meet, the 60-meter hurdler had been crowned SUNYAC and AARTFC champion while undefeated the entire indoor competition. He started in the fourth seed and was a major threat to make the finals and finish within the top eight.
Morse had a rough go at the hurdles during the prelims, a poor start and lack of rhythm caused him to hit hurdles and plagued the race. Ultimately, Morse placed 17th with a time of 8.29s.
However, the Saratoga Springs, NY, native isn’t sulking and is ready to go outdoors in his quest for a national title.
“This isn’t a happy moment, but we can’t be too hard on ourselves,” said Morse. “One bad meet, but a great season. Come back stronger outdoors and get what’s mine!”
And in a culmination of hard work and struggle, the third returner, Zach Nyhart, got what was his, All-American honors in the pole vault.
Nyhart’s had a tremendous indoor season. He is second all-time in Cortland history, SUNYAC champ, All-AARTFC honors, and was recently named ‘SUNYAC Male Field Athlete of the Year.’ The senior ended vaulter ended his season finishing seventh in the country, clearing a height of 4.85 meters (15′ 11″).
“It feels great. A lot of work and dedication went into this season and to see it all pay off is incredible,” Nyhart said.
He’s also remaining humble, focusing on improving even more to reach a higher ranking in outdoor nationals this May.
“I placed seventh, I want to get fifth or above. So definitely going to keep my head down, grinding and working, and we’ll see what happens.”
Head Coach Steve Patrick emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment and embracing the competition throughout the group’s stay in Alabama.
“It can be hard to keep perspective at a meet like this since there is such a premium on earning All-American status that we can lose sight of when we’ve done well,” said Patrick.
He understands that the meet is a great opportunity and a launchpad toward success in the upcoming outdoor season.
And if the Indoor National Championships were any indication of what will come, the Red Dragons look to be dangerous come championship season.