Saunders: 2X 2013 NEC Athlete of the Week
Sophomore Ronea Saunders picked up her second NEC weekly title this indoor track and field season.
Central Connecticut sophomore Ronea Saunders has picked up her second NEC Field Athlete of the Week award this 2013 indoor season after her impressive performance at the NYC Armory Collegiate Invitational on Saturday, February 2, the Northeast Conference announced Tuesday.
In her final tune-up for the upcoming NEC Indoor Championships, the second-year Blue Devil set a personal best by clearing 1.78m (5' 10") while competing in the "Championship Division" at the NYC Armory Collegiate Invitational. Only Vanderbilt's Brionne Williams and South Carolina's Jeanelle Scheper jumped higher at the meet.
Saunders' latest performance pushes the sophomore into a tie for first place on the NEC leader board with defending conference champion Rachel Watkins (Monmouth). After topping out at 1.75m (5' 8.75") during each of her previous two outings (UAlbany Great Dane Classic, Boston University Terrier Classic), this week Saunders became only one of 38 NCAA Division I high jumpers to clear 5 feet, 10 inches (1.78m) this season.
With this week's mark, Saunders set a new CCSU women's indoor track and field record, surpassing the record 1.75m (5' 8.75") she set last year as a freshman.
Saunders and the rest of the Blue Devils will return to action this Satuday, February 9, for the NEC Indoor Championships in Landover, MD.
