AMHERST, N.Y. - Sophomore track and field athlete Robert Ralyea (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) has been named the East Coast Conference Field Athlete of the Week as announced by the conference office today.  In being so named, Ralyea becomes the first-ever Daemen track and field athlete to earn the weekly honor.

Ralyea, a sprinter and pole vaulter, took runner-up honors in the paul vault competition at the Hamilton College Invitational this past Saturday, clearing a season-best 4.10 meters.  It was Ralyea's first vault higher than 3.95 meters this season.

Ralyea, the defending pole vault champion within the ECC's indoor season, goes for the repeat this week when he and his Wildcat teammates travel to Huntington, N.Y. for the ECC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday (Feb. 22).