WINTHROP, Mass. – After standout performance at NCAA Division III New England Championships over the weekend, Suffolk women's indoor track & field's Emily Manfra and Allison Rodrigues were award for their performances by the conference. Manfra was tabbed the GNAC Track Athlete of the Week, while Rodrigues was recognized as the GNAC Field Athlete of the Week.
Manfra made the most of her third consecutive trip to regionals. In the mile she had a runner-up showing behind a time of 4:57.46, just 3.3 behind individual champion Sydney Packard of WPI. Her first sub-5:00.0 mile at new Englands, a personal-best regional run, had the senior grab her second straight all-region accolade from the New England Coaches Association.
Rodrigues, who was the first-ever Rams' field athlete to compete at New Englands a year ago, made her second straight appearance in the shot put. She compiled a career-high showing at the regional event both in finish and throw with a 12th-place performance behind an 11.39-meter toss.
Manfra is no stranger to weekly accolades from the league as this week's nod marks her fifth of the season. She has brought home the best runner over a seven day stretch in each week she has been eligible to anchor Suffolk's 11 weekly awards this year. Her classmates and co-captains Mariama Kamara (Jan. 19) and Emma Weisse (Dec. 16) have each taken home best track athlete status as well, while Sarah Lawton (Dec. 16) and Savannah Goddeeris (Feb. 2) were each named the league's best rookie once this season. Rodrigues, meanwhile, earns her second weekly conference honor of the season.
Suffolk's Rams have one last chance to seal to make its ways to nationals with Tufts' Last Chance Qualifier this weekend, Saturday, March 7 at Gantcher Field House.