ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend outdoor track & field team had three student-athletes named U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honorees for the 2018 NCAA Division III outdoor season.
Freshman Braeden Smith (Erie, PA/Seneca), junior Haley Yenchik (Cecil, PA/Canon McMillan) and senior Rachel Pell (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward) were selected in the Mideast Region for being one of the top five individuals in the region to earn the distinction. All three athletes were also selected to the Indoor All-Region team in their respective events. Only athletes from USTFCCCA member institutions are eligible for the award.
Smith was the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) champion in the high jump (2.00m) and then took second place at the ECAC Championships with a leap of 2.03m.
Yenchik and Pell welcome All-Region honors for the events they qualified in for to the NCAA Championships. Both are making their first appearance at nationals. Yenchik was named All-Region the pole vault and Pell in the 400m hurdles. Yenchik was the CSAC and ECAC Champion in the pole vault, breaking the conference and Behrend record with a height of 3.73m. Pell, the CSAC Track Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Meet, also earned ECAC Most Outstanding Performer this outdoor season. She won the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles at the ECAC Championships, while claiming the title in 400m and 400m hurdles at the CSAC Championships.