Keon Mazdisnian, a sophomore harrier hailing from Los Angeles, Calif., wasted no time making his mark on Amherst Athletics, putting together an impressive rookie campaign as part of the Mammoths’ men’s cross country and track and field programs last season.
 
Never falling outside of the Mammoths’ top-seven on the scoresheet and owning a collegiate best 8K mark of 25:13.4 after his first season, Mazdisnian was the lone Amherst first-year to suit up for all seven races during the cross country grind.
 
"Keon brought incredible energy to the program as a first-year, and the team really benefited from his level-headed intensity,” commented cross country head coach Cassie Funke-Harris. “He's the kind of athlete who knows what he needs to do to be successful, and he does it without a lot of fanfare or attention-seeking. As a first-year, Keon was dependable when we needed him - both as an athlete and as a teammate."
 
Earning the right to represent the Purple & White in the postseason, Mazdisnian crossed the finish line 39th overall at the New England Regional Championships to help the Mammoths secure a fourth place team finish and an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. One of only 36 first-years to compete at the 279-runner national competition, Mazdisnian’s performance at the biggest meet of the year assisted Amherst in clinching 23rd overall and sets the stage for what is sure to be can’t miss junior and senior seasons.
 
Mazdisnian, who plans to major in economics, earned a spot on the 2020 NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team for his efforts in the classroom and is also a member of the Amherst Investment Club and the men’s club soccer team. Back home on the west coast, Mazdisnian is a member of Heal the Bay, which work towards environmental stability, and helped organize events to clean area beaches. He was also a volunteer with the Special Olympics.