Rowan Women’s Indoor Track and Field opens season in New York – The Whit

The Rowan Profs traveled to New York on Friday to make their season debut at the Armory Collegiate Distance Carnival in New York City and the Fasttrack Season Opener in Staten Island. There was no team scoring at either meets, but the events allowed to get some competition in early.

The team’s season opener welcomed two first-place finishes and two second-place finishes, but head coach Shedrick Elliott III says this first meet was just to get the team warmed up. 

“Overall, it was a good opportunity for them to get their feet wet through the indoor oval,” Elliott III said. “It was an opportunity for them to… hopefully give them motivation through winter break, because this is the most difficult point.”

The team had a handful of standout performances at the Fasttrack Meet. Freshman Naa’ilah Munson from Cinnaminson, New Jersey, made her collegiate debut this past week. The walk-on hit a new PR of 11.16 meters in the triple jump, landing her in fourth place. The Prof was later named the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s (NJAC) Rookie of the Week. 

“Talking her out of high school, that young lady has really worked really hard just for this opportunity … she’s taking advantage of the opportunity. So I was extremely impressed, and hopefully it builds her confidence,” Elliot III said. 

Nyla Jones, the sophomore, took home a first-place finish in the 300-meter dash, defeating the 32 athletes competing against her. The Prof finished the race with a time of 40.69. Jones went on to take the second-place spot with a time of 8.93 in the 60-meter hurdles.  

Jones’ success doesn’t surprise Elliot III. 

“I’m not surprised. Nyla is gonna be one of the best in probably ever, in Division three,” Elliott III said.

Another standout was junior Ava Rizzo. Rizzo got a first-place finish with her 1:38.68 time in the 600-meter race, followed by Lisa O’Sullivan with a time of 1:39.57.

With winter break on the horizon, the team isn’t expected to compete until mid January. The break may be filled with holiday cheer and time with family, but Elliott III hopes his team will continue to focus on running and progressing over their month-long break.  

“Hopefully this year, they all decide to really work out, but I’m definitely nervous,” Elliott III said. “Because it’s outside my control. There’s nothing I can do other than give them what to do, and then they got to go do it.”

After winter break, the team will travel back to New York to compete in the Gotham Cup on Friday, Jan. 16.