Saunders and Mendelson Earn NEC Accolades
Saunders claimed her third NEC weekly award while Mendelson was awarded her second-consecutive honor on Tuesday.
Two members of the Central Connecticut women's track and field team were honored this week for their performances at the University of Rhode Island this past weekend, the NEC announced Tuesday. Junior Ronea Saunders claimed her third NEC Field Athlete of the Week award of the 2013-14 season while freshman Brittany Mendelson claimed her second-consecutive NEC Rookie of the Week honor.
Saunders, a consistent performer for the Blue Devils, has cleared 5'9" with regularity this season and is a three-time NEC Field Athlete of the Week as a result. In her final tune-up prior to this weekend's NEC Indoor Championships, Saunders high jumped 1.75m (5'9") to win the 2014 Coaches Tribute at URI.
The third-year Blue Devil will look to repeat as the NEC Indoor high jump champion when the conference title meet commences in Landover, MD. Saunders currently sits in a tie for the No. 23 spot on the NCAA Division I leader board.
Mendelson maintains her standing as the NEC Women's Rookie of the Week thanks to her 800m performance at the 2014 Coaches Tribute. One week after turning in the second-fastest mile time in the NEC this season, Mendelson showed point-scoring potential in the 800m run. Contesting the half-mile run for the first time as a collegian, the first-year Blue Devil crossed the line in 2:18.22. When converted for track size, the time shrinks to 2:16.65 and gives Mendelson the sixth-fastest seed mark heading into the NEC Indoor Championships.
Saunders, Mendelson and the rest of the Blue Devils will travel to Landover, MD this weekend to begin the 2014 NEC Indoor Championships. Competition is set to begin this Saturday, February 8 and continue through Sunday, February 9.