Queens College men’s track and field team look to build momentum heading into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Indoor National Championship.
On Feb. 12, seniors Angel Alers-Rosario and Liam O’Conner came in second and fifth, respectively, in the men’s weight throw.
Two days at the CTC Indoor Championship, freshman John Martinez won the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.67 seconds. Alers-Rosario continued his strong season coming in first place with a toss of 15.50 meters. Senior runner Michael Camacho placed in fifth in the 60-meter and third in the 200-meter events, while junior runner Skandal Delince placed in fourth at the 400 meter. The Knights combined for 63 total points for a fifth place finish.
On Feb. 26, at the East Coast Conference Championship, at Ocean Breeze Park, Staten Island, the team posted a solid performance with nine all-conference spots. Alers-Rosario won a silver medal with a toss of 15.89 meters. O’Conner took bronze after a personal best 14.15 meters in the shot-put competition. Martinez finished third at both the 200 and 400-meter events.
This season, the team is under the leadership of head coach Nicole Vann, promoted in June 2014. Joining Vann is new assistant coach George Erazo, who replaced Kurt Samuels this season.
“I think having coach Erazo is a plus/ He’s a good runner and has a history with the ECC. I think it took the team off guard [as] we all really liked former coach Samuels. But it was something out of our control,” junior Dillion Scibelli said.
In Erazo’s senior year in 2014, he competed in the 400-meter race at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Nationals. He is an All-Region and All-Conference athlete and a list of his accomplishments include Athlete of the Meet at the ECC Championships and ECC Track Athlete of the Year.
Scibelli highlighted that success is the key mentality for the remainder of the season.
“The goals are just, I’d say, to do well at conference championships as individuals and a team, earn the team title or top three and to move forward to outdoor,” Scibelli said.
The Knights prepare for their NCAA Division II Indoor National Championship at Pittsburgh, KS on March 11 and 12.
