Lakers Triumph at NJCAA Track and Field National Championships
UTICA, N.Y. - Seven student-athletes from the Finger Lakes Community College track and field team showcased their talent at the NJCAA Division III Track and Field National Championships. Held at D'Alessandro Stadium at Mohawk Valley Community College, the event spanned from Thursday, May 9th to Saturday, May 11th. The Lakers joined a pool of elite student-athletes from across the country who earned qualifying times to earn their place to compete amongst the best of the best. The Lakers were no stranger to success in the meet as several student-athletes earned podium finishes to round out another successful track and field season for the Lakers.
The championships began with freshman Grace Holmes participating in the pole vault where she achieved a 7th place finish with a leap of 2.21m. The top finisher from the College of DuPage would set a new meet record of 3.55m, surpassing the previous record set by Maddesen Weekes of SUNY Delhi in 2013; setting the tone for a competitive meet.
Sophomore Juliette Ventura kicked off her heptathlon competition with the 100m hurdles, high jump, and shot put. Despite a disqualification in the hurdles, Ventura recovered well, placing 2nd in the high jump at 1.39m and 1st in the shot put. Her success continued into day two with a 1st place finish in the long jump at 4.71m, 1st in the javelin at 24.14m, and 4th in the 800m, timing 3:01.22, culminating in a 4th overall finish in the heptathlon. Freshman Zachary Lester, the NJCAA Region III 10000m champion, completed his event in 39:49.42, while Jason Hunt-McLean, participating in the javelin, rounded out the day, throwing a distance of 36.50m.
Day two saw sophomore Morgan Cheney kick off the day for the Lakers in the 3000m steeplechase. Cheney would improve her previous year's performance, finishing 5th with a time of 13:50.69, over a minute faster than last season. Cheney would round out her contributions in the tournament competing in the 800m, clocking in at 2:50.87. Freshman Terreque Davis made a notable debut in the national tournament, earning a 4th place finish in the high jump. Teammate Trinity Ortiz highlighted the day for the Lakers as she participated in one of the most captivating moments of the day. Ortiz would enter a jump-off with her competitor from the College of DuPage in the high jump as the pair battled for a national title. Ortiz would secure 2nd place in the event, earning Second Team All-American honors. Short after with little rest, Ortiz qualified for the 100m finals with a time of 13.17, securing 2nd in her heat. Ortiz would round out her tournament, finishing as an All-American in all three of her events in an overall dominant showing.
On the final day of the championships, Ortiz continued her excellent form with a 2nd place finish in the long jump, earning Second Team All-American honors. She also clinched Third Team All-American with a 3rd place finish in the 100m, timing 12.60. Sophomore Juliette Ventura rounded out her day, also competing in the long jump with a mark of 4.61m and earning a mark of 24.90m in the javelin throw. The day would conclude with Terreque Davis competing in the 110m hurdles finals with a time of 17.78 and classmate Jason Hunt-McLean participating in the discus, throwing 30.26m.
Amongst a pool of 21 institutions, the Lakers women's squad, consisting of student-athletes Grace Holmes, Morgan Cheney, Trinity Ortiz, and Juliette Ventura emerged as the 7th ranked team in the nation with several top-10 finishes. The season once again proved to be a success as the Lakers made their mark on the national stage. The Lakers would continue their streak of having an All-American finisher for now a third-straight season. With a promising group of returners, the team looks forward to another competitive season with an influx of fresh talent for the 2025 NJCAA Division III National Championships.
