Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Track & Field's McGowan, Nagotko Named PL Rookies of the Week
4/9/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
April 9, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell track and field freshmen Michael McGowan (Ardmore, Pa./Lower Merion) and Kim Nagotko (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah) became the latest to claim Patriot League honors when they swept the Rookie of the Week accolades on Monday. Highlighting their performances was an IC4A-qualifying time in the 10,000 meters for McGowan and the school record in the 4x200 for Nagotko.
Nagotko inked her name in the Bucknell record books twice last weekend at the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va. The rookie sprinter ran the anchor leg of the 4x200 that set the program record in 1 minute, 41.40 seconds. The mark was more than two full seconds faster than the previous Bucknell record. Joining Nagotko on the relay were Jennifer Zymet (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), Emma Rice (Roxbury, Mass./Boston Latin School) and Sasha Hornock (Dover, Pa./Dover).
Nagotko was also a member of the distance medley relay that ran the second-fastest time in program history. Along with Caroline Tolli (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport), Hana Casalnova (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) and Emily Liggett (Grosse Point, Mich./Lawrenceville School (N.J.)), the relay placed third overall in 11:45.88.
While Nagotko's busy weekend also included a 14th-place finish in the 200 meters, McGowan saw his only competition in the 10,000. That did not mean it was any less impressive, however, as he took second overall in his debut at that distance. McGowan clocked in at 30:22.52 and earned a qualifying mark for the IC4A Championships for the first time in his career.
With his performance at the Colonial Relays, McGowan helped the Bison to a second-place finish in the men's team standings. Nagotko and her teammates led the Bucknell women to a third-place finish.
The awards are the first of the outdoor season for each Bison. McGowan was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week in cross country on Oct. 10, 2011. He is also the second consecutive Bucknellian to be named the male Rookie of the Week this spring as Laddie Trees (Washington, D.C./Deerfield Academy (Mass.)) earned the honor on April 2.
Bucknell will be back in action April 13-15 with the Bison Outdoor Classic. The meet will be the first of the season at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
