2022 2022: UMass Dartmouth Takes Home Track & Field Major Awards

Rodgers, Bernier, Bennett and the Coaching Staff were honored

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior Kait Bernier, sophomore Cameron Rodgers, freshman David Bennett and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's indoor track & field coaching staff were honored with postseason awards by the Little East Conference (LEC).

From Dartmouth, Mass., Bernier proved to be the fastest woman in the LEC, earning Track Athlete of the Year. Bernier's best performance of the season came on Feb. 11 at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invite. She broke the program record in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.73, beating the former record held by Raybryana Dasher '18 (58.47). Bernier also won the individual championship at the LEC meet in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.59. In the 200-meter dash, Bernier clocked times of 26.83 and 26.71.

SALEM ON BERNIER: "Kait continues to be a leader of the women's team on and off the track. A model both athletically and academically, she has been committed to chasing down the school record she broke in the 400m Dash earlier this season with her relentless work ethic and willingness to learn. She has some great opportunities ahead of her this postseason still, but this honor is a wonderful confirmation of her growth this season so far."

From Fall River, Mass., Rodgers is the Field Athlete of the Year. Rodgers was without a doubt the best jumper in the conference. His best high jump was 2.04m, which took place on Feb. 5 at the Tufts Cupid Challenge. Rodgers also had high jumps of 2.00m, 1.95m, and 1.80m. The best long jump mark for Rodgers was 6.94m, he also had long jumps of 6.92m and 6.76m. Rodgers had a strong performance this season in the triple jump as well (13.26m).

SALEM ON RODGERS: "Cam has continued to grow and mature as a student-athlete from his experience with his first NCAAs last spring to now. He was a premier force throughout this season and at the LEC Championships, crucial to our team success. It's great to see his work recognized with this honor by the coaches in our conference."

From Newton, Mass., Bennett received the Track Rookie of the Year after three weekly honors, setting himself apart from the rest of the newcomers. Bennett was the fastest runner in the 200-meter dash at the LEC Championship, he won the event with a time of 22.65. He also posted 200-meter dash times of 22.59 and 23.51. Bennett was also strong in the 400-meter dash with times of 50.41, 51.18 and 51.78. Bennett competed in the 4x400 relay that won the conference championship with a time of 3:29.37.

SALEM ON BENNETT: "David has been a welcome addition to the team, transitioning well to college training and competition. There is a lot of potential for him to still develop through this postseason and rest of the semester, but this recognition should motivate him to continue building on the success of his early college career."

The men's coaching staff of Head Coach Mike Salem, distance coach Steve Gardiner '74, sprints coach Jared Marshall and hammer throw coach Ed Arcaro are your LEC Men's Track & Field Coaching Staff of the Year. The group coached the men to the 2022 LEC Indoor Championship.

SALEM ON THE STAFF: "We are very fortunate to have a coaching staff with such dedication to our students with experience coaching athletes at a high competitive level. Steve, Jared and Ed would all say that we are lucky to have such a great group of young men and women to be working with, but their work is critical to giving our students the opportunities to succeed and grow. I am honored and humbled to work with them, and to receive this distinction from our peers."