Behind a pair of individual titles and another milestone from Nick Lyndaker – this time in the facility and conference record books – the St. Lawrence University men's indoor track and field team secured a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Liberty League indoor championships on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints concluded the two-day meet with strong showings in the distance and hurdle events, taking championships in both events.

"I'm just so happy for Erik and his win in the hurdles," said Saints head coach John Newman. "He's worked so hard with Coach Geier and come so far in just one year. To see him lean for the line and end up with the win was a feel-good moment for the entire team." 

Nick Lyndaker provided one of those afternoon highlights. Competing in the 3,000-meter run, Lyndaker distanced himself from the field to finish in 8:17.63. Not only did the performance earn him the individual Liberty League title, but it also established a new Liberty League Championship meet record and a Gordon Field House facility record.

"Nick had quite a race in the 3000-meter run," said Newman. "That was another wild championship distance race. He out maneuvered most of the field but had an incredible battle in the last couple of laps. He had to close in 26 seconds to get the win in what seemed like a 400-meter race. Two wins and a second with the DM relay team is an amazing accomplishment especially with the level of competition this year. Then to win a tactical 3000 in a championship record probably helped him clinch the running performer award."

In the hurdles, Erik Marelli delivered a clutch performance in the 60-meter hurdles. After navigating the prelims, Marelli turned on the jets in the finals to capture first place with a time of 8.37. The mark represents a new personal record.

The Saints closed out the championships with a gritty performance in the 4x400-meter relay. The quartet of Colin Ruddy, Spencer Thoma, Cyrus Goetze, and Riley Cushman combined for a fifth-place finish, crossing the line in 3:32.27.

St. Lawrence now gets ready to head to the historic Armory Track in New York City for the AARTFC regional championships.