Cameron Sample soared to a first-place finish in the long jump with a 7.36-meter leap, which was a new personal best. Sample currently ranks sixth nationally in the long jump. Evan Thayer managed sixth in the long jump as he reached 6.42 meters.

Fredonia’ State 400-meter relay squad of Jordan Lockett, Cameron Sample, Nick Marsowicz and Camiren Collins clocked a time of 41.87, winning the event and setting a new school record as well.

In the 100 meters, Lockett led the charge with a blistering 10.92, placing first overall in the event. Ron Szpylman had a personal best with a fourth-place finish at 11.9. Collins and Thayer were close behind in fifth at 11.9 and seventh at 11.26 respectively.

In all, five Devils finished in the top half of the 20-man field. Blake Hageman (11.34), Aiden VanAmberg (11.41) and Damarien Benton (11.91) each had personal bests as well.

The Fredonia State cheerleading team poses on the beach during its trip to nationals in Florida this past weekend. Photo courtesy of Fredonia State Athletics

Lucas Lawrie impressed in the 400 meters with a personal-best 50.89 time which was good for a fourth-place finish. Edward Jourden placed seventh, 51.38 and Nathan Carlson eighth, 51.70 marking a new personal best for each runner as well.

In the 200 meters, Marsowicz and VanAmburg sprinted to fifth at 22.77 and seventh at 22.81.

Sembel Koshi delivered a solid performance on the day in the 800 meters, placing 13th with a time of 2:00.17 and fifth in the 1,500 with a time of 4:05.61, setting personal bests in each event.

Fredonia State will next travel to Christopher Newport University to compete in the New Captains Classic this weekend.

WOMEN

ROCHESTER — The Fredonia State women’s track and field team delivered several impressive showings at the University of Rochester’s Spring Twilight Meet with multiple athletes earning top-half finishes against a competitive field.

Competing in the field events, Cara Pellechia delivered Fredonia State’s top finish as she cleared 3.62 meters to win the pole vault competition.

Brayton Tripi led the way in the sprints, finishing 5th in the 100 meter dash with a time of 13.34 seconds. Teammate Allison Bartosek clocked 13.68 seconds, placing 8th overall. In the 200 meter dash, Bartoszek also placed 10th with a time of 28.26 seconds just ahead of teammate Hazel Bache, who finished with a time of 29.68 seconds.

In the 400 meters, Fredonia State had three athletes place in the top half of the event. Amiilcar Centeno crossed the line in 8th place with a time of 1:05.29 while Evelyn Zdrojewski turned in a personal best time of 1:08.31 good for 9th place with Vanessa Ryhal finishing in 10th place with a time of 1:08.95.

Calie Hudson also stood out in two events. She posted a 12th place finish in the 800 meters (2:36.38), then returned to clock a personal best 5:12.11 in the 1,500 meters, good for 7th place. In the long jump, Tripi continued her successful meet by leaping 4.61 meters which was a personal best.

Fredonia State’s women’s team continues to build momentum heading into their next competition at the new Captains Classic, hosted by Christopher Newport University this weekend.

WOMENS LACROSSE

BLUE DEVILS FALL TO CORTLAND

CORTLAND — The Fredonia State women’s lacrosse team was overpowered in a 20-3 road loss to SUNY Cortland on Tuesday.

Fredonia State’s first goal came from Sydney Buchko late in the second quarter off a feed from Emma Cockerel. Cockerel later added a goal of her own on a man-up opportunity in the third, unassisted and the final goal came in the fourth quarter when Jenna Slamka scored off a setup by Mieley Baran.

Cockerel’s one goal and assist led Fredonia State, while Buchko recorded three shots and grabbed two draw controls. Slamka contributed on both ends, notching her goal and causing two turnovers.

Goalkeepers Ashleigh Manns and Jessica Kowalski split time in net for the Devils. Manns made four saves in the first half, while Kowalski also turned away four shots during the second half.

Cortland goalie Trinity Parks earned the win with four saves.

The Red Dragons were led by Toni Cashman and Gemma Guy, each scored four goals.

With the loss, Fredonia State drops to 8-7 overall and 3-4 in SUNYAC play. The Devils will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to play Oneonta at noon.

CHEERLEADING

FREDONIA STATE COMPETES AT NATIONALS

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Fredonia Blue Devil cheerleaders competed in the final round at the NCA Collegiate Cheerleading Nationals Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida on Friday against 16 other teams from across the nation.

After days of grass and sun practice, a few minor injuries and some mishaps, the team walked onto the mat for the prelims a bit jittery. That day, they took a two-point deduction during prelims because of a slipped hand release on an inverted skill, as well as a minor building fall.

After reporting to a few team meetings, discussing the prelim score sheet and possible missed difficulty range in the stunt category by acuscore, they headed back to the grass for a few hours of practice.

The Blue Devils worked through the areas of the score sheet that could best show growth and improvement in a short amount of time and the team’s confidence and mindset was reset and ready for the final round. The team walked into finals with a prelim percent score of 83.64.

On Friday, the team rediscovered their confidence and served on the mat for the final round. Their final percent score was 85.86, over two points higher than their prelims and their stunt range was now scored in the expected difficulty range. In the end, the Devils final even score was 85.30, good for 14th place nationally.

“Every year this program is growing and adding difficulty in their routines as well as perfecting their technique, as that is part of the score too,” said head coach Julie Troche. “All athletes and coaches walked off the finals mat with Blue Devil Pride, a feeling of joy, tears of happiness because the ‘work was worth it!’

Coach Troche added, “Their finals performance really showed and reflected exactly what the team wanted to showcase all year for the Blue Devils fans, athletes and family. Sometimes it just comes together in Daytona, exactly how it should.”

Fans of Fredonia State cheer are encouraged to check out Fredonia State Cheer’s Instagram account @fredonia_cheer to re-watch their finals performance.