FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | In celebration of NCAA Division III Week (April 7-13), the Farmingdale State College athletics department will be highlighting the experiences, perspectives and passion of our student-athletes.
Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.
In order to highlight the diverse array of student-athletes who proudly represent Farmingdale State athletics, we will feature a selection of individuals throughout the week. You will get to know them better as they share their responses to five questions about what it means to be a Division III athlete at FSC.
Our first student-athlete spotlight is three-sport distance runner, junior
Loamy Maldonado (Brentwood, N.Y.). She has competed in Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field and Outdoor Track & Field for three years at Farmingdale State.
Loamy helped the women's outdoor track and field team to their sixth consecutive Skyline Conference Championship in 2024. She earned second place in the 3000m steeplechase and took fifth in the 5000m to pick up 10 points for the Rams. FSC will look to capture the Skyline title for a seventh time on Sunday, April 27th at Farmingdale State College.
Q&A
What has made your Division III student-athlete experience so great/special?
My Division III experience has been special because it's allowed me to pursue my passion for running at a competitive level while still prioritizing my academics in nutrition science and my goals to be a physician assistant. The relationships I've built with my teammates and coaches have made it possible for me to be a better athlete and to be a part of a support system at Farmingdale State College.
What's your favorite Division III memory at Farmingdale State?
One of my favorite Division III memories at Farmingdale State College was our Track & Field Skyline Championships. The intense emotions of giving my all while cheering on my teammates created unforgettable bonds. That sense of unity and shared passion made the experience truly special and brought a lasting energy to my college journey.
Please give an example from your time here where you/your teammates got involved in a community engagement effort; describe the experience, and how the sense of accomplishment felt.
My teammates and I volunteered at
Northside Elementary School's "SAFE Halloween" event, where we helped set up games, greeted families, and handed out candy. Engaging with the kids and supporting the school community gave us a chance to be positive role models outside of our sport. It was incredibly rewarding to see the excitement on the children's faces and to realize the impact we could have beyond athletics.
Give an example of a moment when you felt like a leader within your team; explain what led to that moment, and how you executed your leadership traits.
During our warm-up on a rainy competition day for a cross-country race, the mood on the team was low. My teammates needed to be uplifted and I took the initiative to give them words of encouragement and support, and reminded everyone of our goals. Having a voice of support and leadership made me realize that performance isn't everything, but that lifting others up goes a long way.
Division III affords student-athletes the opportunity to balance many initiatives at once (e.g., academics, athletics, job/family, etc.). How has this balance allowed you to be successful both at FSC and in life during your time here?
Balancing a part-time job as an orthopedic perioperative technician and being a student in the nutrition science department, while being a track & field/cross country runner, has taught me to be resilient and disciplined. It's trained my mind to handle challenges and to stay organized throughout it. I learned how to be more intentional with my energy and approach challenges with a growth mindset. This experience has shown me how capable I am and made me truly grateful for the opportunities I've had at Farmingdale State College.
