POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Of the many programs effected by the shortened athletic season, track and field stands out. The indoor season had not completely finished, and outdoors had yet to begin. However, the Marist women's class of 2020 does not dwell on what could have been. They are thankful for the careers they had, the memories they made and the teammates they grew to love.

This group of seniors is responsible for countless conference medals and All-MAAC accolades, and stands in the record books as an elite group of competitors. They led the team throughout their careers, and although some are moving on to the next phases of their lives, they will not be forgotten for their careers on the track and cross country course, as well as their identities as teammates.

"Collectively, this group of seniors has presided over the greatest run of success in program history. Their leadership and championship-caliber performances speak for themselves. All you've got to do is walk past the record board in McCann to witness first-hand the greatness of which they've been a part," lauded Director of track & field and cross country Pete Colaizzo. "Individually, each senior has brought unique gifts to the program, and as a result their impact will be a lasting legacy. With the shuttering of their final season, these women lost a lot. But during the past four years, they have added far more to the program than anyone could have imagined. And for that, we are extremely grateful.
 

ALEXANDRA BARTOLOTTA

In her career thus far with the team, Alexandra Bartolotta has been instrumental to much of the Red Foxes' success. She's earned medals at the conference championships and been named All-MAAC on multiple occasions in cross country. As a captain for the 2019-20 campaign, she led her teammates in and out of competition.

"I feel blessed to have been part of this team for the past four years," stated Bartolotta. "I learned so much from great coaches, accomplished a lot with the team, and most importantly made great memories with an amazing group of women! I'll always be grateful for them, and I'm fortunate to have one more year to compete as one of the running Red Foxes."

Bartolotta currently holds career marks of 4:50.90 in the 1,500m, 5:09.38 in the mile, 10:03.51 in the 3,000m and 10:50.40 in the 3,000m steeplechase. She stands as one of the top steeplechasers in program history, and returns next year to improve on that status.

"When a coach describes someone as a gamer, we know they are someone you can always count on that will never back down form a challenge. In 2017 when our cross country team broke through at the MAAC Championships, it was Ali who led us that day despite dealing with a lot of pain," recalled coach Chuck Williams. "But that's Ali, who never complains and just puts in the work day in and day out. I'm proud of the leader she became this past year, and I feel fortunate that she is returning with a full fifth year of eligibility where she will lead us again."
 

BOUSHRA BELKHIR

"Although my four years at Marist have been riddled with injuries and setbacks that isolated me in a number of ways, they are what gave me a deeper appreciation of the time I did spend with the team," said Belkhir. "My college career would not have been the same without the team I have come to consider family."

While Boushra Belkhir has not been able to race as much as she would have liked thus far in her career, she still has stood out on more than one occasion with some strong performances. Along with earning medals at the MAAC Championships, she has been named All-ECAC in cross country and represented the team in regional competition.

"My teammates all taught me so much about perseverance, determination and the meaning of hard work. While I'm saddened by the way this year came to an end, I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to come back for one more year."

While she was held back in 2019-20, she still recorded some of her best times to date. Belkhir holds personal bests of 2:30.12 in the 800m, 3:20.11 in the 1,000m, 4:50.00 in the 1,500m, 5:13.10 in the mile, 10:21.26 in the 3,000m and 18:07.06 in the 5,000m. She has continued to improve, and is ready to come back strong in her fifth year.
Chuck

"When I think about Boushra, I think about the growth she has shown in her time as a member of our program. The day she arrived on campus she had the goal of working to become one of our best runners," reflected coach Chuck Williams. "We saw glimpses of it, but with her injuries she would also have setbacks. This year, she showed so much growth and maturity as a runner, and her confidence grew. Boushra learned that being a smarter runner would make her better. We are so excited that she gets to keep growing with our program next year."
 

KATHERINE MIALE

As one member of the premiere racewalking squad in all of college athletics, Katherine Miale has helped Marist appear on the national stage on a yearly basis. As the longest-tenured racewalker on the team, it can be said that she had a hand in founding the Red Foxes' Olympic-qualifying squad.

"Throughout my time at Marist I have watched our program grow not only as athletes, but as individuals. I was given an opportunity that many athletes can only dream of and I'm so grateful that I was able to have five years at Marist doing what I love the most," praised Miale. "It is hard to believe that this is the end of our time together, but I will always cherish the memories that Marist track and field gave me."

Miale has come into her own this past year, placing tenth at the USATF Indoor Championships and seventh at the Millrose Games. She qualified for the Olympic Trials on October 20 at the USATF Racewalk Championships, and had plans to travel to Eugene this summer. With the Olympics postponed for a year, Miale will have to hold off on her dreams for a little while longer. However, because of her efforts with the Red Foxes, the program has become the top college racewalking squad in the nation, and will continue to prosper as she continues to succeed.

"Katie is one of the hardest working athletes we have had in this program the past five years. Early on, she set a big goal for herself. Through years of hard work and perseverance she realized that dream this fall when she qualified for the Olympic Trials," stated coach Chuck Williams. "Along the way there were those who didn't think it was possible, but I believed, and more importantly she believed. That memory of her qualifying was one of the best I have ever had as a coach, and it is a memory I will cherish always. Her, along with her racewalk teammates have brought national attention to our program, and my only regret is that next summer at the 2021 Olympic Trials she won't be wearing her Marist singlet."
 

EMILY BURNS

In five years with the Red Foxes, Emily Burns constantly performed and contributed for the program. She has held records, earned medals, and continually made a difference when the pressure was on. Burns will be remembered as one of the top competitors in program history.

"I'll forever be grateful for the teammates and coaches I've had, and the memories I've made at Marist," reflected Burns. "Over the course of five years, I've been able to watch our cross country team transform into a powerhouse in the MAAC, and I've been teammates with some of the best runners in school history."

As a Red Fox for longer than most, Burns watched the team transform and grow, and always believed in her teammates' ability to improve. As a captain for her final year, she worked hard to lead the program and provide an example for the future.

"While running is often seen as an individual sport, it is the moments with my teammates that I'll remember the most. Although we did not get to compete in our final season, I'm fortunate to have been a member of the Red Fox family for five years."

Burns graduates the program with personal bests of 2:18.13 in the 800m, 2:56.33 in the 1,000m, 4:33.35 in the 1,500m, 4:53.11 in the mile, 10:12.17 in the 3,000m and 11:08.27 in the 3,000m steeplechase. She ran a number of the best times in school history, and stands as a member of the program-record 4x800m.

 "From the moment Emily stepped foot on campus five years ago, she made an immediate impact. She brought in a wealth of talent, but more importantly she brought in work ethic that any coach would be proud of," complimented coach Chuck Williams. "Every single day she gave everything she had to the program. Emily may not be the most vocal, but she always led the team by example. She knew how to console teammates when they needed it, and how to build them up when they didn't believe in themselves."
 

ALYSSA LAFAVE

While she had a few successful seasons to start her college career, Alyssa Lafave spent much of her time at Marist on the sidelines. She picked up a medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2018 MAAC Championships, but was never able to regain that level of health again.

"Though I spent more time recovering from injuries and surgeries than training to race, I never could have made it through without my teammates by my side," noted Lafave. "Being on this team made my unfortunate situation more bearable. I showed up to practice every day, cheered for my girls as they kicked butt over the years, and did the best I could despite injuries."

Despite her lost seasons, Lafave is thankful for her time with the program. While many would turn away from running after so many injuries and surgeries, she continued to work hard, always progressing towards being the best runner and teammate she could be.

"Through it all, I wouldn't do anything differently. I am grateful for the time I had on the team, running in races or cheering on the sidelines. I learned perseverance and resilience that I will carry with me forever, and for that I feel truly blessed."

Lafave graduates with career marks of 2:29.34 in the 800m, 4:48.38 in the 1,500m, 5:10.94 in the mile, 10:13.12 in the 3,000m and 10:59.42 in the 3,000m steeplechase. While she only truly competed for three seasons on the track, Lafave left her mark on the team in more ways than one.

"Alyssa is one of the strongest people I know, much stronger than she knows. Before her injuries she was one of our best runners, and is one of only five women in program history to go sub-11:00 in the 3k steeplechase," noted coach Chuck Williams. "Like many athletes, she was hit with adversity with one surgery, then another until she hit number four. Most people would have quit, but Alyssa never quit on the team, and was an inspiration for all of us on perseverance."
 

DENISE GROHN

"Entering college, I debated for months whether I wanted to ride horses or continue running," remembered Grohn. "I'm positive I made the right decision, and I wouldn't trade my memories at Marist for anything."

In her time with the Red Foxes, Denise Grohn has gone from indecisive about running to becoming one of the top athletes in the conference in years. Along with earning countless medals for individual races and relays on the track, she has picked up All-MAAC honors in cross country as well.

"Running is unique because it's so physically demanding, but sometimes even more mentally challenging. Running for Marist has shown me that with hard work, commitment and patience, I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. I learned that work ethic from the teammates that came before me, and I hope I passed that on to my younger teammates."

Grohn has medaled at the ECAC Championships, and appears in the record books on the mile run, 4x800m and 4x1500m. The middle-distance runner has been a major contributor to Marist's ascension to one of the top distance programs in the conference, and attributes it all to her teammates and her love of the sport.

"It's hard to think of any complaints when you're running across the Walkway on a beautiful fall day, surrounded by your best friends," Grohn stated fondly. "I'll miss lacing up my racing spikes and talking strategy with my coaches, but I'll miss those everyday runs with my teammates even more."

Grohn graduates Marist with personal bests of 2:16.10 in the 800m, 2:52.95 in the 1,000m, 4:33.08 in the 1,500m, 4:52.90 in the mile and 9:53.70 in the 3,000m. Along with running several of the top times in program history in multiple events, she served as a captain in her final year with the Red Foxes.

"Denise was the last girl in her class to choose Marist and walked onto the team. As she prepares to graduate and attend Veterinary School in the fall, she leaves as one of the greatest runners in program history," lauded Associate Head Coach Chuck Williams. "She has one of the biggest hearts of any athlete I have coached in my 20 years. Her genuine care for the people in her life is something we can all aspire to. It is because of her spirit and determination that I know there is no limit to what she can accomplish in life."
 

THE FUTURE

As this talented class of runners prepares for the future, the mark they made on the program will last for years to come. This group of medalists and record holders was a big part of Marist's rise to greatness, and that journey isn't over yet.

Though the 2020 outdoor season will never be run and some wonder what could have been, this class is thankful for everything that happened in their careers, and now prepares for the next steps of their lives. For some, it's a completely new identity outside of running. But for others, it's a return to the track.



The Marist Athletics Department is spotlighting the Class of 2020 from the spring sports whose seasons ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more about these seniors, check back on GoRedFoxes.com, and follow Marist Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Senior Spotlights: Women's Tennis (March 23) | Men's Tennis (March 25) | Women's Lacrosse (March 30) | Baseball (April 1) | Water Polo (April 2) | Softball (April 3) | Men's Rowing | Women's Rowing | Men's Lacrosse | Men's Track and Field