Women's Track and Field Acknowledged by Northeast Conference Friday
The Blue Devils claim 12 all-conference selections, in addition to two major awards.
The Northeast Conference recognized a total of 12 Central Connecticut women's track and field athletes to it's all-conference selections in addition to two major awards. The Blue Devils finished as the 2017 NEC Runner-Up after writing themselves in the school record books with a program most 142 points scored. CCSU took home six first team nods, the most of any other school, one to the second team, and saw five first year athletes to the all-rookie team.
Central was led by junior Brittany Mendelson who was named the 2017 Northeast Conference Championships Most Outstanding Distance Performer for the second straight year, as well as earning two spots on the All-Conference First Team. Mendelson defended her 5K title (17:40.24) and won gold in the 10K with a league best time of 36:39.80. Following this year's conference finals, Mendelson broke the CCSU 10K school record at the ECAC Championships held at Princeton with a new historic mark of 35:38.79.
Joining Mendelson in the postseason headlines was freshman Wileshka Samuel who was named to both the First Team and All-Rookie Team. In her NEC championship debut, Samuel helped herself to a pair of gold medals in the 100m (12.04) and in the 4x100m relay (47.42s). The CCSU 4x100m relay team consisting of Samuel, freshman Erica Snape, and seniors Sarah Hicks and Sherise Truman was also selected to the first team.
The 2017 Northeast Conference Indoor Triple Jump Champion, sophomore Sierra Nesmith was selected to the first team after winning the 400m hurdles (1:01.89) and placing fifth in the triple jump.
Samuel was not the only rookie to make noise in her first appearance at the NEC finals. Hailey Rospierski who was named the 2017 Co-Most Outstanding Rookie Performer, was tabbed to the All-Conference First Team and All-Rookie Team. The Nutmeg State product sat atop the high jump podium (1.67m) and placed fourth in the 100m hurdles (14.53), walking away with two personal records.
Sophomore Madeline Mondo was recognized with second team honors after medaling with silver in teh 3,000m steeplechase (11:04.50, PR) at this year's finals.
Snape and Megan Branwer also landed themselves a spot on the All-Rookie Team in the 200m and 1,500m, respectively, to cap off the Central Connecticut postseasons awards as well as the 2017 outdoor season.
First Team
100m: Wileshka Samuel, Fr. (12.04)
5,000m: Brittany Mendelson, Jr. (17:40.24)
10,000m: Brittany Mendelson, Jr. (36:39.80)
400m hurdles: Sierra Nesmith, So. (1:01.89)
4x100m Relay: Sarah Hicks, Sr. (47.42)
Sherise Truman, Sr.
Erica Snape, Fr.
Wileshka Samuel, Fr.
High Jump: Hailey Rospierski, Fr. (1.67m)
Second Team
Steeple Chase: Madeline Mondo, So. (11:04.50)
Rookie Team
100m: Wileshka Samuel, Fr. (12.04)
200m: Erica Snape, Fr. (25.63)
1,500m: Megan Brawner, Fr. (4:47.68)
100m Hurdles: Hailey Rospierski, Fr. (14.53)
High Jump: Hailey Rospierski, Fr. (1.67m)