Hernandez Earns Outstanding Field Performer Award
2/23/2003 8:30:32 PM | Cross Country, Track and Field
It was the first time since 1989 (Janeen Bonner) that an Orangewoman was named Outstanding Field Performer at the meet. Hernandez was also the first Orangewoman to win two events at the BIG EAST meet since Kim Johnson won the shot put and weight throw in 1994.
Hernandez, who was favored to win the weight throw, set a school record in the event on Saturday with a throw of 63-4.25 (19.31m). The mark was the 11th-best throw in the NCAA this year and shattered the school record of 61-10.50 set by Kim Johnson in 1994. The next closest competitor was Connecticut's Amy Parkosewich, who threw 56-7.50.
Ranked fifth in the conference entering the shot put on Sunday, Hernandez was not expected to win the event. She set a personal best with a throw of 52-10 (16.10m) on her last attempt to win the competition and provisionally qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championship, March 14-15, at Fayetteville, Ark. It was the 13th-best throw in the NCAA this year.
Syracuse is scheduled to compete at the ECAC/IC4A Championship in Boston, March 8-9.
