Women's Track and Field Placed Seventh at Nationals

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, May 14, 2022

Hudson Valley Community College women's track and field program placed seventh in the NJCAA Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which were hosted by Hudson Valley Community College for the first time in program history.

The women's program compiled 49 points as they scored in seven individual events, including 19 points in the Women's 3,000-meter Steeplechase. In the Steeplechase, the Vikings had three individuals score and were led by Olivia Skylstad, who placed second overall and was named a Second Team All-American with a time of 13:35.75. Eva Sgambettera was named an Honorable Mention All-American after a third-place finish with a time of 14:46.96 and Hickory Whalen scored five points with a fourth-place finish, posting a time of 15:19.26. 

Lia Soares had a great meet for the women's track and field as she scored points in the Women's Heptahlon, the Women's 100M, the Women's 200M and the Women's 4x800 Meter Relay. The Women's 4x800 Relay team (Sgambettera/Skylstad/Whelan/Soares) finished third, Honorable Mention All-American, with a time of 10:54.69. 

Soares was also named Honorable Mention All-American with a third-place finish in the Heptathlon with a score of 2,805. She earned Heptathlon wins in the 200m and the 800m events and placed third in the 110 hurdles event. 

During the Opening Ceremony, the USTFCCCA National Awards were presented to the country's best from among the three regions. Charles Benichoux was named the East Region's Male Track Athlete of the Year and Olivia Skylstad was named the East Region's Female Track Athlete of the Year.