History was made by Triton College's
Ava Connerty at the NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships May 10 in Utica, NY. The sophomore from Riverside-Brookfield High School became the first women's track athlete representing Triton to win an individual national title. Connerty took home the crown in the women's 100-meter hurdles, winning a thrilling race by two tenths of a second.
Connerty will leave Triton as a two-time NJCAA All-American. Last season she just missed winning it all at nationals, placing second in the 100-meter hurdles. That is why coming back a year later to accomplish something she only could imagine in her dreams made the victory more rewarding.
"I honestly never thought that I would be a national champion," Connerty said. "It's so amazing seeing all of my training pay off in the best way possible. Knowing that I'm the first female track national champion in Triton history is unbelievable."
"I am very proud of Ava and having her run hurdles for Triton College these past two seasons has been fantastic," head coach
Jason Guevarra said. "She is a big-time competitor and a very smart athlete."
"Ava was ranked first (in the nation) coming into nationals but placed 4th after preliminary rounds," Guevarra added. "But I knew she was ready the next day for the finals and ran an awesome race. She is the kind of athlete that sets the standard for the future of the Triton women's track and field team."
In addition, Connerty was a member of the Trojans women's 4x400-meter relay team with
Sandra Saldierna,
Kinga Antolak (Elmwood Park) and
Joaliz Rodriguez (Riverside-Brookfield) that placed third at nationals to earn NJCAA All-American status.
Saldierna also made the medals podium individually with a seventh-place finish in the women's 800-meter run. The West Leyden graduate reflected on how far she has come.
"It's honestly such a surreal thing, she said. "Five years ago, I would have never thought to have made it this far with running. "The feeling you get to finally see years of your hard work and dedication be recognized, is a really good one. Next year, I hope to get faster, stronger and absolutely crush my times from this season."
On the men's side, the Trojans 4X100-meter relay team of
Anthony Beacham (Oak Park-River Forest),
Nathaniel Corpuz (East Leyden),
Samuel Elusoji (Riverside-Brookfield) and
Khyron Watts (Walther Christian) returned to River Grove as NJCAA All-American's after a sixth-place finish in a very competitive national field.
"This season with the team was unforgettable," Elusoji said. "Being with my teammates at the national championship and becoming All-American was a great moment for my teammates and myself. I will graduate as a nationally ranked student-athlete from Triton College."
Overall the meet was Triton's best national showing since 2018 highlighted by the success of the women's squad who placed 13
th in the team standings. However, the Trojans coming back home with eight of their 10 athletes who traveled to New York as All-American's is definitely a step in the right direction for Guevarra who completed his second season guiding the Trojans track program.
"At nationals we had team members run their best times of the season," Guevarra said. "Having All-Americans on both the women's and men's side was the best moment of the season. To watch our athletes commit to their academics and give 100% effort and focus during practices has paid off."
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