CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Sunday, April 29, 2018

On another cold, windy and rainy day the men's and women's track and field teams competed in the Capital District Classic held at RPI. The Vikings could not afford to allow the weather to play a factor in their overall performances as this was a last chance meet to either qualify for Regionals or the NJCAA National Championships.

Ashley Martinez (Red Hook/Red Hook) was the newest addition to the Vikings list of athletes that have already qualified for the National Championships. Ashley dropped two seconds in her 400m to earn a spot in the May 10-12 championship meet. Teammate Alexis Holmes (Albany/Guilderland) set two new personal bests in the shot put and discus throw with throws of 9.19m and 26.73m, respectively. Mercedes Planavsky (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa) continued to improve in her races as she once again set a new season best in the 800m with a time of 2:38.89.

Holden Maynard (Rotterdam/Mohonasen) qualified for the 10,000m race last week at the Cortland Classic, today Holden attempted the 3,000m Steeplechase and ran a great time that exceeded the national qualifying standard. Teammates Jamison Jarosz (Schaghticoke/Hoosic Valley) and Elijah Washington (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa) used the meet today to improve their overall seeding for the regional meet. Washington threw a new season best in the shot put with a toss of 12.67m while Jarosz jumped a season best in the long jump with a leap of 5.58m.

Track and Field have a short week of practice as they prepare for the Region 3 Championships this Friday and Saturday in Little Falls, NY. The meet will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday with the field events (HJ, PV, Hammer, Javelin) and the running events are slated to start at 4:30 p.m. with the 3200m Relay and Steeplechase.