(L to R): Dewart, Baumbach, Pruckno, Scott, and Hamilton.
Senior Emma Dewart of Ithaca College was named the Empire 8 Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive time as the conference announced the year-end awards for men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. Senior Heidi Baumbach of the Bombers was named Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. Richard Scott of Alfred University and Joe Pruckno of Utica College shared the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year honor, while Jusan Hamilton of Ithaca was chosen as Field Athlete of the Year.
An 11-time All-American and the most decorated student-athlete in the program’s history, Dewart placed second in the heptathlon at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She was also named USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year and NYSCTC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Meet.
Baumbach set a school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in placing second in the ECAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She placed second in the 1,500 meters at the Empire 8 outdoor meet. Scott captured the NYSCTC titles in the 200- and 400-meter dashes as well as the ECAC title in the 400 meters. He finished 10th to garner All-American honors in the event at the NCAA national championship. Pruckno won the 110-meter hurdles at the NYSCTC meet and repeated his indoor performance by finishing sixth at the NCAA championships in the event.
Hamilton earned the Field Athlete of the Year award after winning the hammer throw at the Empire 8 Outdoor Track and Field Championships and placing third in the event at the NYSCTC meet. He also placed 10th in the shout put at the state championships.
Lauren DeLude of Utica College was named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Rookie of the Year. She won the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the Empire 8 championships and the NYSCTC meet. DeLude was named the NYSCTC Rookie of the Meet, where she added a second-place finish in the long jump.
Jennifer Potter was named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive time and seventh time in her career.
Jim Nichols was selected as Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive time and sixth time in his career.
Empire 8 2012 Outdoor Track and Field End of the Year Honors:
Men’s Co-Track Athlete of the Year: Richard Scott, Alfred University Men’s Co-Track Athlete of the Year: Joe Pruckno, Utica College Men’s Field Athlete of the Year: Mike Jusan Hamilton, Ithaca College Men’s Coach of the Year: Jim Nichols, Ithaca College
Women’s Track Athlete of the Year: Heidi Baumbach, Ithaca College Women’s Field Athlete of the Year: Emma Dewart, Ithaca College Women’s Rookie of the Year: Lauren DeLude, Utica College Women’s Coach of the Year: Jennifer Potter, Ithaca College