Inside the walls of the Ithaca College Athletics and Events Center, one word immediately comes to mind: success. Championship hardware lines the walls like tapestries, echoing generations of collegiate athletic success. According to head coach Jennifer Potter ’92, the Bombers’ 2024 recruiting class was the largest first-year class since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two contributors who have been instrumental to the Bombers are first-year students Aynisha McQuillar and Eliana Barnett, sprinters who have caught the attention of both veterans and coaches alike. At the Ithaca College Quad on Jan. 18, McQuillar notched an impressive 7.84 seconds in the 60-meter dash prelims for the top overall time.
McQuillar continued her impressive streak with a 7.78 in the final round. She won the 60-meter dash, contributing to the Bombers victory against SUNY Cortland, SUNY Oneonta and The College of New Jersey.
Just six days prior, Barnett made noise in the Cornell University Southern Tier Invitational on Jan. 11. She measured out 11.07 meters in the triple jump to place fourth overall.
The intrinsic motivation and dedication are two exceptional factors of both McQuillar and Barnett that have made the loudest contribution, something that caught the attention immediately of Potter.
“We sought them out and highly recruited them based on their success but they also met our culture. They’re hard workers, they want to get better, they’re great teammates,” Potter said. “I feel like that started back in the recruitment process and that’s what we look for.”
Potter said that being clear with expectations from the beginning makes for an easier recruiting process.
“The type of people that they are is more important to us than what they’ve done athletically,” Potter said. “We are not looking for the fastest 400-meter runner in the country if you are a pain [to be around]; we want a great representation of our program and someone who can run a fast 400-meter.”
The culture sentiment stuck with both McQuillar and Barnett, as McQuillar said that following the championship history of the program has helped her improve her focus and attack her goals.
“I feel like my mindset especially has definitely matured,” McQuillar said.
McQuillar also assisted in setting a new school record in the 4×200-meter relay at the Nazareth Challenge Cup on Jan. 25. The tandem of McQuillar, senior sprinter Natalie MacArthur, first-year student Marykate Rudnicki and sophomore Ava Butler ran the relay in 1:44:85, topping the college’s previous record of 1:45:49, which was set in 2012.
Additionally, Barnett made an immediate impression in the Greg Page Relays at Cornell University on Dec. 7, placing seventh overall in the triple jump at 10.55 meters.
Barnett expressed her gratitude for what the program provides to help its athletes continue to grow. From the equipment to the coaches and the strength and conditioning regimens she said she is grateful for all that the college provides.
“The program is great, we get a lot of really good training opportunities and our facilities are really good so it’s just maximizing what we’re getting to the best of our ability,” Barnett said.
Another facet that plays an instrumental role in delivering success is leadership. There are only five seniors, but enough to mentor the team’s youth. MacArthur has had her fair share of experience on South Hill. Recruited in 2021 from Locust Valley High School in Long Island, MacArthur arrived on South Hill with a loaded resume, being a two-time all-conference runner in the 5k, 300-meter indoors and the 4×200-meter relay.
“I’ve had three different grades of underclassmen that I’ve had to teach to be at the collegiate level and guide them through that process,” MacArthur said. “The first college meet they were so calm, and it’s just super cool to see two first-years not doubt themselves and not get worked up under pressure and just execute, it’s been amazing.”
MacArthur joined a program in which had a lot of upperclassmen leadership, something that is of help to any newcomer.
“Logan Bruce took me under her wing,” MacArthur said. “Katelyn Hutchison was one of my training partners as a first-year and her energy, positivity, and that winning spirit … took me from a high school athlete with minimal training to someone who can compete at higher levels.”
Bruce enjoyed an illustrious career on South Hill as a multiple time NCAA All-American in the hurdles, along with Hutchison, who reached the new balance nationals, placing seventh nationally in the 400-meter dash.
Both McQuillar and Barnett look ahead toward further strengthening the program, but not too far into the future.
“I’m just trying to PR for myself,” Barnett said. “I don’t have super high goals I am trying to hit other than continuing to improve.”
Barnett’s message was similarly repeated by McQuillar. McQuillar said she is striving for continuous improvements but is trying to keep her goals short-term.
“I came in with more of an open mind,” McQuillar said. “I didn’t have any set personal goals or records I wanted to achieve. I wanted to make sure I was putting my best effort and to stay in my own headspace, focus on myself rather than my competitors and make sure everytime I step out on the track, I’m just happy with my performance.”
