Simmons and Clayton earn All-American honors at nationals

HOLYOKE, MA – Competing in 15 total events, along with two heptathlon competitors, the Herkimer Generals track & field program build on their impressive regional performance, capturing 11^th place each at the two-day outdoor national championship at Holyoke Community College.

Norman Clayton (Bronx, NY) and Christopher Simmons (Utica, NY) led the way with second place finishes in the 3000-meter steeplechase and triple jump, earning second team All-American honors for finishing second in their respective event. Clayton posted a 10:46.80 and Simmons leaped 14.00 meters. Both were personal best for each student-athlete.

Capturing three more top 10 finishes for the men were Simmons, Matt Manda (Scotia, NY), Demetrius Moore (Cleveland, OH) and Adrian Young (Newburgh, NY). Simmons earned eighth in the long jump (6.40m), Manda earned eighth in the 800-meter run (2:02.14) and the group of Simmons, Moore, Young and Manda placed fifth in the 4x400-meter Relay (3:26.34).

As for the women, they too had five Top 10 finishes. LuAisha Charles (Middletown, NY) placed 10^th in the hammer throw (20.78m), Katicia Sakona (Corning, NY) placed sixth in the triple jump (9.78m), Lindsay Therrien (Johnstown, NY) placed 10^th in the triple jump (8.47m), Gabrielle Bridgewater (Fort Plain, NY) placed fifth in the shot put (9.93m) and the group of Charles, Therrien, Shannon Shirley (Bronx, NY) and Bridgewater placed sixth in the 4x800-meter relay (12:40.17).

Bridgewater and Therrien also helped by placing fourth and ninth overall in the heptathlon. Bridgewater was fourth overall, placing ninth in the 100-meter hurdles (19.81), fifth in the high jump (1.29m), first in the shot put (9.45m), fifth in the long jump (4.06m), second in the javelin (24.87m), seventh in the 200-meter (29.98) and second in the 800-meter (2:45.18). Therrien was ninth overall, placing eighth in the 100-meter hurdles (18.61), sixth in the high jump (1.26m), second in the shot put (8.76m), 10^th in the 200-meter (32.29), ninth in the long jump (3.77m), fourth in the javelin (19.48m) and 10^th in the 800-meter (3:21.60). 

Men 11^th Overall (22 Points)

Hammer Throw (11^th 21.02m) Cohen

Javelin Throw (16^th 20.20m) Riddeau

Long Jump (8^th 6.40m) Simmons

Triple Jump (2^nd 14.00m) Simmons

3000-meter Steeplechase (2^nd 10:46.80, 14^th 13:10.64) Clayton, Parker

5000-meter Run (11^th 17:57.41) Clayton

800-meter Run (8^th 2:02.14) Manda

4x400-meter Relay (5^th 3:26.34) Moore, Young, Manda, Simmons

Women 11^th Overall (15 Points)

Hammer Throw (10^th 20.78m) L. Charles

High Jump (12^th 1.26m) L. Charles

Long Jump (12^th 4.22m) Sakona

Triple Jump (6^th 9.78m, 10^th 8.47m) Sakona, Therrien

Shot Put (5^th 9.93m, 16^th 8.36m) Bridgewater, Murray

Discus Throw (13^th 21.59m) Murray

4x800-meter Relay (6^th 12:40.17) L. Charles, Therrien, Shirley, Bridgewater

Heptathlon

4^th Overall - Gabrielle Bridgewater – 2911 Points

100-meter Hurdles (9^th 19.81)

High Jump (5^th 1.29m)

Shot Put (1^st 9.45m)

Long Jump (5^th 4.06m)

Javelin Throw (2^nd 24.87m)

200-meter Dash (7^th 29.98)

800-meter Run (2^nd 2:45.18)

9^th Overall – Lindsay Therrien – 2306 Points

100-meter Hurdles (8^th 18.61)

High Jump (6^th 1.26m)

Shot Put (2^nd 8.76m)

200-meter Dash (10^th 32.29)

Long Jump (9^th 3.77m)

Javelin Throw (4^th 19.48m)

800-meter Run (10^th 3:21.60)

-Giorgio Varlaro