ITHACA, N.Y. – The Niagara Track & Field Hall of Fame held its annual awards banquet, in conjunction with their hall of fame induction, in Rochester on September 9 and the Ithaca College women's program, along with two individuals were honored for their exceptional performances during the 2016-17 season.
The indoor team that finished as the national runners-up at the NCAA Division III Championships in Naperville, Ill. this past March was the recipient of the Charles H. Moore Jr. Award, which is presented annually by the Niagara Track & Field Hall of Fame to the outstanding Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, or Outdoor Track and Field High School or College Team of the Year in the Niagara Association.
At the indoor championships, Ithaca claimed three individual national championships and three other All-America honors. Rising senior
Taryn Cordani was the national champion in the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs, while classmate
Katherine Pitman won the pole vault.
Brandy Smith was an All-American in the shot put and weight throw, and rising sophomore
Beth Cripps claimed All-America honors in the pole vault.
Pitman was then named the winner of the Jack Tupper Daniels Award for the second straight year. The Jack Tupper Daniels Award is presented annually by the Niagara Track & Field Hall of Fame to the outstanding Female College Athlete of the Year from other than NCAA Division I Colleges in or from the Niagara Association.
The outdoor squad was the second runner-up for the Charles H. Moore Jr. Award, while Cordani was the second runner-up for the Jack Tupper Daniels Award.
At the outdoor championships, the Bombers once again finished as the national runners-up as Cordani won the 10K national title and Smith finished off her stellar career with her third straight discus crown. Pitman was the runner-up in the pole vault, while Smith posted an All-American mark in the shot put and rising senior
Amber Edwards took All-America honors in the 100-meter hurdles.
This is the first time since the banquet began in 2012 that Ithaca has received the Charles H. Moore Jr. Award. Emma Dewart was the Jack Tupper Daniels Award recipient in 2012.
