Suffolk County women claim their first DIII outdoor crown
Freshmen Samantha Pollucci and Ryleigh Donegan propelled the Sharks to victory
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | COMPLETE RESULTS | AWARD PHOTOS | EVENT PHOTOS
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Despite claiming victory in just two events at the NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the Suffolk County (N.Y.) women claimed their first national title in program history.
A pair of freshmen on the track notched the Sharks’ two victories at the championship meet. In the 100-meter dash, Samantha Pollucci recorded a winning time of 12.69 seconds. Ryleigh Donegan posted a first-place finish in the 5,000-meter run, clocking a time of 19 minutes, 20.63 seconds.
The national event saw four NJCAA DIII championship records fall, including two historic relay marks by Prince George’s (Md.). In the 4x100-meter relay, Owls sophomore Krystal Simpson along with freshmen Nisheil Forbes, Monyea Early and Druex Collins posted a record time of 48.69 seconds. Early and Forbes would set another record in the 4x400, joining sophomores Khyla Link and Coneisha Smith for a 3:59.11 record time.
In individual competition, Kingsborough (N.Y.) freshman Theaa General set a new mark in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.10 seconds. Posting a record time in the 100-meter hurdles, Union County (N.J.) freshman Iyanah Hawley finished with a 14.44-second performance.
Suffolk County compiled 156.5 points to edge out runner-up Prince George’s. The Owls finished second despite tying third-place Harper (Ill.) for the most event victories at the meet with five. The Hawks ended the tournament with 139 points.
Photos courtesy of Robert Galazka, Holyoke Community College.