PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's head coach
Melody O'Reilly is thrilled to announce the return of six Hawks across five different event groups for next year's track and field seasons.
Tamar Bourdeau,
Maggie Maguire,
Bridget McNierney,
Emily Schaeffer,
Aliyah Stokes, and
Meridith Twomey have decided to take advantage of the NCAA Division I Council's ruling to grant an additional year of outdoor eligibility for all spring sports student-athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extension of eligibility was granted after the NCAA canceled all spring sports in March.
Schaeffer, Stokes, and Twomey will return for both the 2020-21 indoor and outdoor campaigns, as Schaeffer redshirted her indoor season in 2016-17, Stokes redshirted her indoor season in 2019-20, and Twomey redshirted her indoor season in 2018-19; Twomey will also race cross country in the fall. Bourdeau, Maguire, and McNierney will race the 2021 outdoor season.
"I am absolutely overjoyed to have these six amazing young women returning to the program for their fifth year," said O'Reilly. "Meri [Twomey] and Emily [Schaeffer] were already planning to return, but when the NCAA granted athletes the opportunity to return for an additional spring season, our potential as a team became that much greater. These athletes bring more to the program than just their talent. They offer a wealth of experience and leadership, and as a relatively young team, we will benefit from that. I am grateful for the support of Athletic Director
Jill Bodensteiner as she helped us navigate all of the intricacies throughout the entire process."
Schaeffer will be an integral part of next year's distance crew after breaking through in the 3000m (10:36.34) and turning in top-11 finishes in both the mile and the Distance Medley Relay at the conference level this year.
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"Emily was on a roll throughout the cross country and indoor seasons," said O'Reilly. "She was improving week after week, so we were both disappointed when the outdoor season was canceled. I'm happy that she is returning so that she can realize her true potential. Her fire and intensity will inspire her younger teammates."
A school record-holder in both the outdoor 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay, Stokes has raced on SJU's outdoor 4x100m conference relay since stepping foot on Hawk Hill and has led the Crimson and Gray to scoring performances at all three meets. She is also an ECAC All-East Team selection in the 4x100m relay.
"Aliyah was one of the last to confirm her return, but I am thrilled that she is coming back," said O'Reilly. "After losing her indoor season to injury and surgery, then the outdoor due to cancelation, she was disappointed. Having both seasons to come back to for her fifth year will allow her to maximize her potential. I believe Aliyah will be a leader on and off the track for us."
Breaking through in the indoor 5000m (18:46.38) up at Boston this winter, Twomey has put in the work to overcome obstacles and is on track for a 2020-21 campaign to remember next season(s).
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"Meri is the only one of the six athletes returning that has all three seasons, and I couldn't be happier about that," said O'Reilly. "She has had her share of sickness and injury, but I believe now, it's her time to shine. Meri brings with her a wealth of experience and positive leadership to the team."
A versatile relay leg between the 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay, Bourdeau made strides in the indoor 500 this past winter, going off for a PR 1:17.34 in her final collegiate indoor open race.
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"Tamar was just getting comfortable with the changes to her training, and she had started reaping the benefits as the indoor season ended," said O'Reilly. "We were so hopeful that all her hard work would pay off during the outdoor season. When Tamar expressed interest in returning for her fifth year, I think my eyes teared up! She is 'the calm' in a storm and a wonderful team leader. I'm super excited to see what she can do over this next year."
Maguire will return to add depth to the long sprints plus/middle distance group an experienced, strong leg on the 4x800m relay. Â
"Maggie will have a positive impact in the long sprint/middle distance groups," said O'Reilly. "Injury has set her back in the past, but I believe this opportunity will allow her to finally finish her career as a Hawk the way she has always wanted it to be. I'm so happy she has decided to return. Her consistency will be valuable to the team."
McNierney came back for her fifth year for just outdoor track and field in 2020 and will go after the opportunity again in 2021, chasing goals in the 400m hurdles.
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"Bridget being able to come back for what will be her fifth outdoor season over six years is a blessing to the team," concluded O'Reilly. "She brings a wealth of experience to the 400m and 400m intermediate hurdles. She has an incredible work ethic and drive to leave her mark on the program, something I believe she will continue to do. Bridget's calm, positive demeanor makes her a perfect senior leader for the 2021 season."
