ROCHESTER, NY - Laura Suppa (Canastota, NY/Canastota) of the Utica University women's indoor track and field team has been named Empire 8 Track Athlete of the Week, as announced by the league on Monday. 

Graduate student Suppa made her presence on the track known in her debut for the Pioneers, posting a new school, facility, and Empire 8 record in the 60m hurdles. In the prelims, Suppa managed to shatter the school record with a time of 8.75 seconds, and followed that performance up with a massive 8.69 second effort in the finals. The previous school record was set back in 2013 with a time of 9.03 seconds, while the Empire 8 record of 8.72 was set last season.

Suppa and the Pioneers return to action following the winter break, hosting the Utica Winter Opener on Friday, January 16. Start time is set for 4pm from the Todd and Jenn Hutton Sports and Recreation Dome.