Albany, NY—The Sage College's department of athletics gathered to recognize and honor the outstanding performances of the 2017-2018 year with the naming of the athletic award winners for the 15 varsity athletic teams. In addition to awarding the Gator Award, for the Most Outstanding Player, the department also named the 2017-2018 Female and Male Athletes of the Year as well as the Dean Sharon Robinson Senior Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year, which is given to the senior student-athlete with the highest overall grade point average, as well as the Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award.
Sage also awarded the Gator of the Year to members of the varsity teams, often awarded to the team's most valuable player. Named the Gator of the Year in men's track and field was freshman performer Ellis Richardson (Hudson, NY/Hudson).
Head men's cross country and track and field coach Zachary Williams noted of Ellis, "It was clear from day one that Ellis wants to be good." Williams continued, "He has the drive and determination that is necessary to excel in the years to come. He is only a freshman and already has a school record, which gives him a real chance to fully rewrite our history books during his tenure here."
Competing as a newcomer on the Sage Men's Track and Field Team this spring, Richardson had a number of top performances. He capped the season with a school record effort in the men's 400 meter dash. He finished eighth at the Empire 8 Championship with his time of 52.06. With that effort, he broke the Sage track record. He broke the mark set in 2013 by Ricky Parker (52.5) at the Vassar Invitational in 2013. Richardson also picked up 14th place finish in the 200 the meter run in 24.68 at the Empire 8 Championship and had a number of impressive finishes in the short races throughout his 2018 season.
