Planavsky Sets 1,500m School Record; Track and Field Hitting Stride

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-416-2137 or 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, April 13, 2019

With one week left of the regular season, the men's and women's track and field teams continue to improve upon season, personal, and school records as they competed Saturday at the Bronco Classic at SUNY Delhi. In all, there were 24 combined new season or personal bests set at the meet and one new school record set by Mercedes Planavsky in the 1500m.

The Vikings finished the day with three individuals topping the competition. Jared Craw started the day by winning the 3000m Steeplechase for the second week in a row. Teammate Elijah Washington won the hammer throw for the second straight week with a toss of 43.06m. Washington also placed second in the shot put earlier in the day. Fellow thrower Immanuel Manera finished first in the javelin with a throw of 39.34m.

Daniel Foley avenged last weeks fall in the 400m hurdles at Smith College to run a season best. Foley finished in fourth-place with a time of 1:00.87, good enough to be the fastest time in Region III and seventh in the NJCAA. 

Prior to today's meet, the men's season best in the 400m relay was 44.90. The Vikings relay team of Jericho Sylla, Devin Kipp, Noah Vice, and Rutchlor Louis ran a time of 44.16 for second-place. Relay members Kipp and Vice teamed up with Ethan Samarija and Foley for a fifth-place finish and a season best time of 3:39.13 in the 1600m relay.

Planavsky and Anna Clarke both took to the track today in the women's 1500m. Planavsky had been looking to take down the 24-year-old school record and today was the day. Mercedes en route to a fifth-place finish ran a new personal best of 5:11.75 to break the old record by six seconds. Clarke continues to improve on her race as she had dropped another 13 seconds in the 1500m in today's race for a new personal best. 

Pole Vaulters John Acker, Nicholas Iula, Harry Elliott and Fabian Kendrick all clear their heights and finished in consecutive order for second through fifth place, respectively.

The men and women will travel to Fitchburg State in Massachusetts for one last tune-up before the Regional Championships on April 27-28 being held at Hudson Valley. After qualifying for 19 events in 2018, the Vikings have now qualified for 49 events in 2019.