A three-peat: Men’s and women’s indoor track win MAAC

By Benjamin Shinault

For the third straight year, Rider men’s and women’s track and field took the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference indoor championship. The men led the way with 148.25 points while the women’s team followed with 142. 

Day one

The first day of action at the 168th Street Armory, in New York, ended in success for the men’s team, finishing with 40.25 points, enough for first place.

The day was highlighted by junior Michael Palmer who took the MAAC title in high jump as well as Josh Burgess finishing in third-place in the long jump with a mark of 7.03 meters and Jayden DuBard, finishing as the runner-up in the weight throw with a throw measured at 18.28 meters.

For the women’s team, by the end of day one, finished in second place but day one surely had its highlights. Senior Mariah Stephens captured gold with her long jump mark of 6.05 meters, breaking Rider’s program record. 

“It was a bittersweet moment … It felt amazing,” Stephens said. “Through all I’ve been through these past four years, finally ending my indoor season, it was just a highlight of the weekend for me.”

Head Coach Bob Hamer said to Rider Athletics, “I’m so grateful for Mariah. She has been everything for this program. She’s been a star in every MAAC meet.”

Senior Raisa Palleija also competed well in the long jump and finished in second place.

Rider’s field success did not stop there as junior Gabrielle Vetere secured third place in the pole vault event, having a throw off 3.80 meters and senior Danielle Lambert also finished in third with a weight throw off of 15.51 meters.

Day two

Following the second place finish on day one, women’s track had some unfinished business to attend to on day two and they did just that. Starting out with the field events, senior Chika Efobi took home the shot put title with a winning throw of 12.72 meters.

Junior Taylor Johnson finished third in the 60 meter and senior Hailey Palmer acquired a silver medal in the 400-meter. Rider’s success continued with graduate student Jordan O’Neill finishing as a runner up in both the mile and the 3000 meter.

Lastly, Rider had success with its relay team, taking second place in the 4×400 relay and had a third place finish in the 4×800 meter relay, putting a cap on an electric day of winning for the Broncs.

“We faced a bunch of adversity yesterday and the women responded beautifully today,” Hamer said.

Finishing at the top by the end of day one, the men’s team came out with a stronger bite in day two to secure their third title in as many years.

The Broncs relay team won both the 4×400 meter relay title as well as the 4×800 meter relay. Graduate student Tamrat Snyder won the MAAC title with his performance in the 800 in 1:53:59. Senior Mali Coleman also thrived the 800 and finished in third.

Rider dominated day two as junior Nathan Storz earned a bronze medal with his performance in the 60-meter hurdles and junior Steven Bado tacked on a silver medal in his runner-up performance in the 200.

In the field, Dubard finished in second place with a shot put throw of 15.85 meters and Palmer continued his strong two-day performance with a third-place finish in the triple jump. 

With his significant impact, Palmer took home the Field Most Outstanding Performer Award.

With Rider winning three straight MAAC indoor championships, Hamer took home coach of the year as well, putting a cap on a historic night for the team.

“It was a total team effort. I’m so proud of the effort, grit, determination and commitment they put in today to get the win,” Hamer said.