Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Track & Field Takes Three Patriot League Weekly Honors
12/8/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
Dec. 8, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell track and field claimed three of the Patriot League's six weekly awards on Tuesday as Drew Fitzgerald (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) and Chelsey Musante (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) were each named Patriot League/M-F Athletic Field Athlete of the Week. Justin Hicks (Wilmington, Del./Tower Hill School) was also named the league's Rookie of the Week.
Fitzgerald earned three top-10 finishes at the Bison Opener last weekend. The junior won the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 8 1/2 inches to qualify for the IC4A Championships. He also took third in the pole vault with a mark of 15-3. The height was a personal best indoors for the vaulter and ranks him tied for eighth all-time at Bucknell. Fitzgerald rounded out his performance with a ninth-place finish in the long jump at 21-2.
Hicks made a major impact for the Bison in the sprints in his first collegiate meet. The freshman finished fourth in the 60-meter dash and third in the 300, posting times that moved him into the Bucknell record books. Hicks' 60-meter time of 6.91 seconds broke the previous school record of 7.01. However, teammates Marlon Woods (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) and Isaih Bell (Stone Mountain, Ga./Clarkston) bested him in the finals. The trio now holds the top three times in program history. Hicks' 300-meter time of 35.92 was also a top-five mark. After just one race, he is fourth all-time in the event.
Musante kicked off her 2009-10 indoor season with a pair of top-two finishes. The senior won the weight throw at the Bison Opener for the second consecutive year with a throw of 57-7. Although Musante was already ranked second all-time at Bucknell, that performance moved her nearly one foot closer to the school record. Musante also placed second in the shot put with a throw of 44-5 1/2. Her distances in both events qualified her for the ECAC Championships in March.
While the award is the first of Hicks' career, recognition from the league is not new to Fitzgerald or Musante. Fitzgerald was named the Field Athlete of the Meet at the Patriot League Indoor Championships last season, while Musante earned three Patriot League Field Athlete of the Week honors prior to being selected the Co-Field Athlete of the Meet at the 2008-09 indoor championship.
The Bison Opener was an unscored meet, but Bucknell still claimed a number of individual victories. Including wins by Fitzgerald and Musante, the Bison won eight a total of eight events and 28 student-athletes placed in the top five of their respective contests.
The Bucknell track and field teams will be back in action on Jan. 9, 2010 when they host the Gulden Relays at Gerhard Fieldhouse.
