UAlbany Celebrates Indoor Track Titles as Spring Sports Get Underway
ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 22, 2024) — The University at Albany’s men's and women's indoor track teams reclaimed their respective places atop the America East Conference as the winter sports season enters conference championship mode and the spring sports teams begin their 2024 campaigns.
Women's Track Earns 12th Indoor Title
The UAlbany women's indoor track team took home their 12th America East title on Feb. 20, and their first since 2022, achieving their best performance in the competition in five years. After wrapping up Day 1 in third place, the Great Danes raced into the lead on Day 2 on the strength of victories from Toni Galloway in the 60m hurdles, Dominique Clarke in the 60m sprint, Amelia Benjamin in the high jump and Leanne Nicholas in the triple jump. Efe Omokeni won the women's long jump on the first day of competition.
It's the 10th title in the past 11 seasons for the Great Danes, who finished with 191 points, 57 points in front of Binghamton University. The 191 points was also the highest point total for UAlbany since the women finished with 213 in 2019. Benjamin, who was named outstanding field performer at the competition, broke her own program varsity and freshman class record with her jump of 5 feet, 10.75 inches.
The women head to the Fastrack Last Chance Meet on Friday before the NCAA Indoor Championships begin on March 8. The outdoor season gets underway on March 15.
Men's Indoor Track Claims 17th Title
The UAlbany men's indoor track team won their first America East indoor title since 2020, and their 17th overall, scoring 165 points on Feb. 20 in Boston. The Great Danes, who were in fourth place after the first day of competition on Day 1, rallied on Day 2 with victories by Hassan Abidi in the 800m, Antwone Messado in the 60m hurdles, Shakur Williams in both the 60m sprint and the 200m, Ja'Lil Reynolds in the high jump, and Travis Robinson with an America East indoor championship record 60 feet, 9.5 inches in the shot put.
Williams was named outstanding track performer for his efforts, while Robinson was named the top field performer with his record-setting performance. UAlbany Director of Track and Field Roberto Vives and his assistants also won the coaching staff of the year award. Since 2002, the men's indoor track team has never placed lower than second at the America East indoor championship meet.
The men also travel to the Fastrack Last Chance Meet on Friday before the NCAA Indoor Championships begin on March 8. The outdoor season gets underway on March 15.
Women's and Men's Basketball Teams Prepare for Conference Tournaments
The UAlbany women's basketball team, with it's 23-4 record and 12-2 mark in the America East, is wrapping up another successful regular season campaign as it prepares for the America East Tournament, set to begin March 8. Tied for first with Maine, the women have a shot at claiming the top seed for the playoffs.
The men's basketball team, 12-16 overall and 4-9 in the America East, the Great Danes aim for postseason success when they head to the conference tournament, starting March 9.
Spring Sports Season Gets Underway
With men's and women's lacrosse games already in the books and baseball and softball campaigns gearing up for the first pitches of the year, the spring sports season is underway for the Great Danes.
The men's lacrosse team have opened their campaign with the goal of capturing another America East crown. After several road contests to start the season, the Great Danes return home to Casey Stadium to take on Hobart on March 9. The Great Danes will host the annual Spring Stomp celebration on Senior Day, April 27, in a 7 p.m. battle with America East rival Binghamton.
The women's lacrosse team returns to UAlbany on March 16 for the start of the America East regular season. The game against Binghamton will start at 2 p.m. on John Fallon Field. The Great Danes have spent the bulk of the early season on the road in preparation for another challenging America East campaign.
The baseball team started its season on the road Feb. 23 against No. 9 Tennessee. While the weather remains chilly in upstate New York, the Great Danes will stay on the road with series against George Washington, Purdue, Georgetown and UMass Lowell. The team will take on Central Connecticut State and Army in one-game clashes, before finally taking the home field on March 26 against UMass. The Great Danes play crosstown rival Siena on April 2 in Loudonville. The regular season wraps up May 18 at Maine, with UAlbany hoping to earn a semifinal spot in the America East playoffs.
The softball team also took the field on Feb. 23 on the road vs. Atlantic Coast Conference power North Carolina State. The team competed in the Wolfpack Classic, which included games against Appalachian State, Cleveland State, a second contest against NC State and then a finale against Iona. It's the first of four consecutive tournaments for the Great Danes, who make stops at the Spring Games in Madeira Beach, Florida, starting March 1, the Mount St. Mary's Softball Tournament beginning March 9 in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the UMBC Spring Invite in Baltimore starting March 15. The women open their home schedule on March 20 vs. Army, and close the season with a 3-game homestand against Maine starting May 3.
The women's golf team starts their spring campaign on March 4 at the Huntsville.Org Intercollegiate. The Great Danes will also travel to the Lady Bison Bay Point Classic in Panama City, Florida, on March 22 followed by a trip to Rutgers on April 6. The women take on Siena on April 14 in the Crosstown Challenge, and then close out the regular season at the MAAC Championship in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, starting April 19.
