Albany State’s Blackburn, Rowe wrap up Division II Track & Field Championship

Rowe placed seventh in 400m hurdles, Blackburn finished as the runner up in the Discus throw

ALBANY – Last week, two Albany State track and field standouts – Nathalia Rowe and Sydney Blackburn – competed at the Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Colorado State University.

Rowe competed in the 400 meter hurdles and finished seventh with a time of 1:02.26. She said that was two seconds more than her fastest time ever, but was still grateful to compete for a championship.

“That was probably the hardest I’ve ever ran,” Rowe said. “Overall I would say that I’m still proud of my performance.”

Despite her finish, Rowe still had an outstanding season for ASU. She ended up in first place in the 400m hurdles at the Morehouse Relays in March, first place in the 400m hurdles at the Alice Coachman Invitationals in April, and first place in the 400m hurdles at the SIAC track and field championship in late April.

The Atlanta native is just a sophomore and said she can’t wait to bring home more trophies next season.

“Next year I’m going to do everything my coach says,” Rowe said. “I’m going to do every workout and anything that will better prepare me.”

Her teammate, Sydney Blackburn, finished as the runner up in the discus throw, throwing 49.93 meters long which broke her previous record of 48.80 from earlier this season.

“I try to push myself to basically PR at every meet,” Blackburn said. “It seems like every year at nationals is when I perform the best.”

This is not her first rodeo at the Division II championship, however. She finished in the top 15 her freshman year, and top three her sophomore year, so will next season be the year she is crowned the winner?

“I see it,” Blackburn said. “During the season I tend to ease off a little just because I don’t really have people that are close to me.”

Like her teammate, Blackburn also had a successful 2023. The junior finished in first place five times throughout the season in the discus throw, which earned her the Division II all-south region honors, and first team all-America.

“I feel like I just need to push myself more and do things to the best of my ability,” Blackburn said.