By Brandon Andersen

In an otherwise bleak day for the Buffalo State College Men and Women’s track team, two athletes jumped into the spotlight.

With overall team performance lower than the teams anticipated (13th and 14th place, respectively), high jumpers Ken Ciolek and Jenelle Orosz brought smiles to the Buffalo State faithful at the New York State CTC championships at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Ciolek, of Limestone/Bradford, placed sixth in the men’s high jump competition. Orosz, of North Tonawanda, tied her own school record of 1.63 meters in the event, placing second in the field behind Geneseo junior Kim Beltrez, who jumped 1.73 meters.

“I was very impressed with our team and the accomplishments of both athletes,” said track and field coach Eugene Lewis. “It didn’t go the way we wanted, but I’m proud of our team’s accomplishment.”

Orosz, whose score placed her in an NCAA provisional role, said her record is a nice accomplishment, but doesn’t mean as much as a better placing.

“ From a personal standpoint, it’s a great accomplishment, but from a team standpoint it’s very disappointing.”

An NCAA provisional score secures her at least a look toward competing in the NCAA Division III championships March 11th and 12th in Bloomington, Illinois.

Brandon Andersen can be reached at Andebe89@buffalostate.edu

Related links:
Buffalostate.edu/athletics
NCAA.org