November 1, 2007 - Smith October 2007 Athlete of the Month
November 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rider Athletes of Month
X-C’s Smith, Swimming’s Modrov
LAWRENCEVILLE—John Smith of the men’s cross country team, and Priscilla Modrov of the women’s swimming & diving team were named the Rider University Athletes of the Month for October.
Smith, a senior from Cliffwood Beach (Matawan), led Rider to a third place finish at the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, earning All-MAAC honors for the third time in his career. “Getting All-MAAC was one of my goals, but my main focus was helping out my team,” Smith said.
Modrov, a junior from Smithtown, NY (Hauppauge), broke two Rider pool records in the very first meet of the season, winning the 100 butterfly (57.47) and 200 butterfly (2:05.47) against UMBC. Modrov collected five first-place finishes in the first two meets of the season in October.
“Priscilla has come back to the college season fit and ready to go, and it has shown in her record-setting early season performances,” said head coach Steve Fletcher. “She has more of a relaxed confidence in training this year that should push her to new levels of performance.”
Modrov was the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2006 MAAC Championships.
Smith placed 14th overall among the 123 MAAC runners, covering the 8,000 meter course in 26:07.8 to lead Rider to its highest finish in MAAC competition. “I ‘PR’ed’ by about 15 seconds,” Smith said. “I felt really good throughout the race. It went very well.” “Smith ran great at MAACs,” said Rider cross country coach Bob Hamer. “He got himself in good position early on.”
At Penn State earlier in October, Smith placed first for the Broncs and 53rd overall among the 222 runners, covering the 5.2 mile course in 27:22. “Smith ran a great race,” Hamer said. “He ran up with the lead pack and really held his own.”
Smith has now finished first among Bronc runners 21 times in his 23 Rider career races.
The cross country team returns to Lehigh for the NCAA Regional November 10.
The swimming & diving teams host MAAC-rival Marist November 3.
-RU-
