CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Hudson Valley's sophomore track and field student-athlete Mercedes Planavsky (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa) has been named the USTFCCCA NJCAA National Athlete of the Week as announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Vikings women's outdoor track and field program placed third with 147 points, following dominant performances by Planavsky. She was named the Region 3 Female Track Athlete of the Meet after winning five individual events. Mercedes won all of the distance events, including the 800-meter run (2:36.69), 1,500-meter run (5:30.53), 5,000-meter run (19:59.41), 10,000-meter run (40:44.13) and the 3,000-meter steeplechase (12:50.79). 

Planavsky was also a member of the Vikings 4x400 meter relay championship team that won the event with a final time of 4:41.68. The 4x400 team consisted of Martinez, White, Planavsky and Clarke. 

The Vikings outdoor track and field program will be preparing for the NJCAA National Championships at Mohawk Valley on May 11-12 in Utica, NY.