University of Albany's Luke Schoen and Ashley Mahlmeister Named America East Field Performers of the Week

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Luke Schoen and Ashley Mahlmeister have been named America East Conference indoor track men's and women's field performers of the week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Six members of the men's program and four members of the women's team have combined to win a conference-best 15 weekly awards this winter.

Schoen, a senior from West Islip, N.Y., garnered the honor for the third time this season, as he tied for seventh among the collegians and tied for 11th overall in the invitational section of the pole vault at the University of Arkansas' Tyson Invitational on Feb. 13. The three-time All-American cleared 16-feet, 6.75-inches, a mark which has been unmatched by any other America East competitor this season. The senior finished behind three 2009 NCAA Division I Indoor All-Americans, three graduated NCAA Division I All-Americans and one 2009 USA Junior National All-American. Schoen has topped the league's performance list since winning the event in his season debut at the Penn State Northeast Challenge. His season-best mark of 17-7, which meets the NCAA provisional standard, is currently tied for 10th nationally.

Mahlmeister, a freshman from Unadilla, N.Y., is being recognized by the conference for the first time, as she qualified for two postseason championships and accumulated a meet-high 15 points to help UAlbany win a triangular over Binghamton and Syracuse on Feb. 12. Mahlmeister won the triple jump by leaping 39-feet, 8-inches to easily qualify for the ECAC Championship and USA Junior Nationals. She also placed third in the long jump by posting a mark of 18-5.75 and was also third in the 55-meter high hurdles by hitting the tape in 8.44 seconds, falling just short of the ECAC standards. Mahlmeister ranks among the top seven on the conference performance list in all three events.

The UAlbany men's indoor track and field team will aim to win a league-record fifth straight America East Conference crown at the league championship meet on Feb. 19-20 at the Boston University Track & Tennis Center. Northeastern previously won four in a row, from 1989-1992. The women's program will look to win their first title after finishing in the runner-up position four times.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information