By Abby Condon, Staff Writer
With the chaos of a nationwide pandemic, the Susquehanna University women’s track and field 2020 spring season never got off the ground and running. Before their seasons were cut short, the women’s track and field team was striving for excellence, and the efforts of the 7 SU Riverhawk Seniors will be greatly missed.
Senior Emily Eck, a steeplechase competitor and distance runner, was a 3-time qualifier for the Landmark Conference Championships. Her most recent accomplishment at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships was a 3rd place finish in the Distance Medley Relay. Eck, also a member of the SU Cross Country team, finished with a ranking of 17th in the mile with a personal record of 5:40.34.
Senior Maya Khanna represented Susquehanna University on the Landmark Winter All-Sportsmanship team as they competed in the triple and long jumps.
“My overall time at SU was phenomenal and I will always cherish it. My coaches and teammates have made my time so much more worth it. To the underclassmen, cherish the time you have because it goes so fast and thank you for being amazing teammates,” Khanna said.
Khanna finished 3rd in the triple jump (10.44m) and 12th in the long jump at the recent 2019-2020 indoor Landmark Championships.
Senior Morgan Markle from Millerstown, PA competed in sprints and hurdle events during her collegiate career at SU. Her most recent accomplishments were at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships this past February with a 12th placed finish in 60m hurdles with a time of 10.58 and was an essential member of the 4x200m relay in their 5th place finish.
Senior Katharine Mayer, a distance runner and steeplechase competitor placed 12th overall in the 5000meter run (21:36.38) at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships. She also finished 24th in the 3000meter run with a time of 11:47.20. Her future plans are to pursue a career with the FBI to become a forensic scientist.
Senior Alexa Pietrini, a neuroscience major, recently participated with the Distance Medley Relay at the 2019-2020 AARTFC Championships with a 2nd place finish and captured third in the same event at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships. She was an All-Landmark Selection in prior years on the 4×400 relay, 4×100 relay and 4x400m relay.
Senior Samantha Reed, an All-Landmark sprinter during her athletic track career at SU, said her time at Susquehanna University was “very rewarding.”
“I was able to grow as a runner and balance my academic responsibilities. My coaches were very helpful in helping me accomplish many of my goals,” said Reed.
Finishing 2nd in the 400m run, 3rd in the 200m run, and as a member of the Distance Medley Relay at the 2019-2020 Indoor Landmark Championships, Reed has carved out some impressive career statistics in these events. Her post graduate plans include teaching in the fall at the elementary or middle school level.
Senior Erin Reese, a distance runner all year round competing for Susquehanna in cross country, capped off her 2019-2020 career at the indoor Landmark Championships taking 5th in the 5000m with a time of 19:00.11. Reese was an All-Landmark selection in several events the past three years, setting records for the Riverhawks in the 4K, 10K, 4×800 relay and the Distance Medley Relay.