By Dylan Butler
Kim Barnes-Arico, who coached the Adelphi women’s basketball team for three years, has been hired as the new St. John’s women’s coach Monday, the school announced Tuesday.
The press conference is scheduled for this Tuesday afternoon.
After leading Adelphi to a school-record 19 wins in 2000-01, the Barnes-Arico’s Panthers went 28-3 last year and advanced to the Division II NCAA tournament. She was named the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
In four seasons at Adelphi, Barnes-Arico, 31, compiled a 65-24 record. She replaces Darcel Estep, who was fired in January after 2 1/2 years at the helm.
Pechone Stepps, an assistant on Estep’s staff, took over on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
According to sources, Barnes-Arico interviewed for the then-vacant Hofstra coaching job that was filled by Michigan State assistant coach Felisha Legette-Jack. Following that, Barnes-Arico was called by St. John’s and interviewed for the Red Storm opening.
Barnes-Arico lives in Teaneck, N.J. with her husband Larry Arico, the head football coach at William Patterson University. Among the candidates Barnes-Arico beat out was Christ the King head coach Bob Mackey, sources said.
York captures CUNY track crowns
Fifteen records fell Sunday as the York men and women’s outdoor track teams captures the seventh annual CUNY championships, held at York.
The men’s team easily defeated second place CCNY, 162-129 while the women edged Lehman by three points, 164-161.
York distance runner Khari White earned the Outstanding Male Performer award, winning four distance events. He claimed the 800 meters (2:05.55), the 1,500 (4:19.05), the 5,000 (16:53.39) and the 10,000 (37:30.93).
York’s Mariama Davies set a new CUNY shot put mark and the women’s 4×400 meter relay team, which beat St. John’s at the Penn Relays last week, lowered the previous CUNY mark by more than five seconds in 3:54.81.
“Khari ran four courageous races today, winning the 1,500 meter race, two events after the 10,000 meter race,” said York coach Tom Pope. “Our guys really stepped up today, winning the mile relay even after having Connel Smith step in as a substitute. I am really proud of them.”
Wilson named NYCAC Rookie of the Year
Queens College shortstop Crystal Wilson was named New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, the league announced Friday.
Wilson, who hit .375 with three home runs and 26 RBIs, was also named to the NYCAC first team. She joins teammate Kathy Blake. Danielle Battaglia was named to the second team.
Stewart Goodwin was the baseball team’s lone representative, being named to the second team,
SJU Men’s Golf team NCAA bound
For a second straight year, the St. John’s men’s golf team was one of 81 teams selected to the NCAA regionals, it was announced Monday by the NCAA Golf Committee.
Coached by Frank Darby, in his seventh year, the Red Storm will join 26 other schools at the NCAA Central Regional, which will be hosted by the University of Arkansas-Little Rock at the Pleasant Valley Golf Course from May 16-18.
St. John’s is seeded 23rd and joins a field that consists of Big East champion Virgina Tech, Ivy League champs Princeton, Kansas and Purdue.
The Red Storm enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, winning three team championships and posting nine top-five finishes, including third place at the Big East championships.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
