WINTHROP, Mass. – Days before the league's six teams converged on the Boston University Track & Tennis Center the inaugural GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, Suffolk was predicted to take second in a vote by the conference's head coaches.
The Rams picked up 28 points to fall behind the selected favorite by all six coaches Emmanuel, who had 36 points. Regis (26), Saint Joseph's (Maine) (17), Colby Sawyer (17) and Lasell (6) will all compete on Sunday, Feb. 16 as well.
Suffolk's team is experienced and anchored by the only NCAA Indoor All-American, Emily Manfra, who ran to that feat a year ago in the mile.
The senior, along with her co-captains seniors Mariama Kamara and Emma Weisse and sophomore Allison Rodrigues have already clinched their spots at regionals later this month. Manfra sealed her place in four events – 800, mile, 3K and 6K. She will be joined in the mile and 3K by her classmate Weisse, while Kamara and Rodrigues qualified in the 60-meter dash and shot put, respectively.
Conference wise, Suffolk has garnered multiple weekly awards with six Rams combining for nine of the 17 honors. Manfra has four track athlete of the week to her credit with Kamara and Weisse each earning the nod once. Rodrigues was tabbed the best field athlete over a seven day stretch once and Sarah Lawton and Savannah Goddeeris were each recognized as the top rookie once.
Sunday's event is set to begin at 11 a.m. with field events with the full-day schedule going until approxmately 5 p.m., at which point the GNAC will conduct a post-meet ceremony recognizing event winners and top team finishers.
All-student-athletes who top their respective events will take home conference champion and all-conference status.
2020 GNAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship Pol
1. Emmanuel (6) - 36
2. Suffolk - 28
3. Regis - 26
4. Saint Joseph's (Maine) - 17
5. Colby Sawyer - 13
6. Lasell (6).