ROCHESTER, NY (May 15, 2022) - A select group of the Broncos Track and Field team made the trip to Nazareth College looking for some big performances. Some were looking to qualify for the AARTFC Championships while others were looking to put themselves in a position to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Two team members did manage to put themselves in the National conversation. To open the day, Rebecca Heuler put together a terrific series in the javelin. Her very first throw sailed more than three meters beyond her previous lifetime best. She then improved even further on her third throw, and again on her fifth, with her final mark coming in at 40.69 meters, good enough to win the event and set a new facility record. This is just 15 cm away from the school record and at the end of the weekend updates, she now ranks 18th in the NCAA division III. The top 22 declared athletes will qualify for the championships and the last day to post a mark is this Thursday. Heuler will still throw again at the AARTFC Championships on Wednesday and look to improve her standing. Heuler also had a big day in the discus circle, where she placed third in the event with a new collegiate best mark of 37.79 meters.
The other major break through came from Joshua Jeffes. Jeffes, who was All-American in the 400 meters this winter, had run some great relay splits this spring, but had not posted a time anywhere close to fast enough to qualify for the outdoor championships. With time running out on the season, he found his race. Lining up in lane four with the 2022 indoor national champion from Geneseo in lane five and favorable conditions, the race was set. Jeffes ran a smooth first 200 meters and began closing the stagger through the final turn. When he hit the straightaway he was just a stride behind the indoor champion and found another gear to pull away down the straight. His winning time of 47.71 seconds shattered the existing school record set in 2003 by James Feaster at 48.59. It also established a facility record. After the weekend results came in, Jeffes now sits at 14th on the national list. The top 20 men will get the trip to Ohio for the National Championships. Jeffes also ran a new lifetime best in the 200 meters of 22.02 into a 1.6 m/s headwind showing that he is really sharp at the right point in the season.
Other notable performances included Jaylynn Sheppard, who appeared to be done with a hamstring issue, but rallied back to place sixth overall in the 100 meters in 12.73 seconds. Fellow sprinter Kadie-Ann Whyte placed fifth in the 200 meters with a 26.43 second performance and Sabrina Richards placed eighth in 26.74 seconds. All the sprinters were fighting headwinds all day so near lifetime best marks are a great sign. Thrower Kitty Messina also had a good day, placing fifth in the shot put with a mark of 11.61 meters for a new lifetime best and her first time out over 38 feet. She also placed sixth in the discus with another lifetime best of 36.06 meters. To top off her day, she added a new lifetime best in the hammer throw at 38.81 meters.
For the men, Mickenson Simon placed eighth in the 100 meters with a new lifetime best 11.27 seconds and placed fifth in the 200 at 22.91 seconds.
A few more athletes wil compete at the Swathmare Last Chance Meet Monday May 16 and then the regular season will wrap up on Wednesday and Thursday at the AARTFC Championships.
