FLUSHING, N.Y. (May 23, 2023) – The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) is excited to reveal its end-of-year awards for the 2023 women’s outdoor track & field season, as voted upon by the league’s head coaches.
Lehman’s Aminata Sissoko was voted Track Performer of the Year, while CCNY’s
Serena Warner was selected Field Performer of the Year. Beavers’ rookie
Samantha Maendel was named Rookie of the Year, while Hunter head coach
Marvin Hawkins was selected Coach of the Year.
Track Performer of the Year: Aminata Sissoko, Lehman
Sissoko, the 2022-23 Women’s Indoor Track & Field Track Performer of the Year, turned in a strong outdoor campaign. A three-time CUNYAC Track Athlete of the Week, she was the top point-scorer at the CUNYAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships, earning Most Valuable Performer recognition. Sissoko won gold in the 400m dash, finishing in a time of 1:03.76, while finishing first in the 400mH with a time of 1:19.65. In addition, Sissoko finished second in the 100mH (20.18) and third in the 100m dash (13.73).
Field Performer of the Year: Serena Warner, CCNY
Warner produced a terrific outdoor campaign, going on to medal in five events at the conference championship. A four-time CUNYAC Field Athlete of the Week, Warner was crowned conference champion in the long jump (4.46m), discus (29.61m) and shot put (9.85m) events while finishing second in the hammer (23.61m) and third in the javelin (25.94m).
Rookie of the Year: Samantha Maendel, CCNY
Maendel had a strong outdoor rookie campaign for the Beavers. At the conference championship, she collected three medals, taking silver in the 200m (28.89) and 400m (1:03.78) dashes while also earning silver in the javelin (26.04m).
Coach of the Year: Marvin Hawkins, Hunter
Hawkins led Hunter to a third consecutive women’s outdoor title and the ninth in program history. Under the tutelage of Hawkins, the Hawks completed the triple crown, winning the women’s cross country, women’s indoor track & field and women’s outdoor track & field championships.
2023 CUNYAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Star Awards
Track Performer of the Year: Aminata Sissoko, Lehman
Field Performer of the Year: Serena Warner, CCNY
Rookie of the Year: Samantha Maendel, CCNY
Coach of the Year: Marvin Hawkins, Hunter
Sportsmanship Award: Peta-Gay Hunter, York
Sportsmanship Team: Zara McPartland, CCNY; Sidney Kalauch, Hunter; Jennasia Nelson, Lehman; Te-Mia Durand, Medgar Evers; Arielle Allert, Queenborough
2023 CUNYAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Star Team
Samantha Maendel, CCNY
Zuha Khan, CCNY
Zara McPartland, CCNY
Aakaysha Williams, CCNY
Kaylin Soto, CCNY
Serena Warner, CCNY
Ayayo Orwa, Hunter
Althea Williams, Hunter
Taylor McClay, Hunter
Samantha Suriel, Hunter
Wendy Montiel, Hunter
Elizatte Lakouetene, Hunter
Rubilyn Navarro, Hunter
Lily McAndrews, Hunter
Helen Dai, Hunter
Daria Niebrzydowski, Hunter
Aminata Sissoko, Lehman
Nidia Nelson, Lehman
Nana Samake, Medgar Evers
Darlyn Pacheco, Queensborough
Zaria Neptune, York
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