Lindsay Bauer earned dozens of track and field medals in high school, four dozen to be exact. That includes six from states and 13 from districts over her career at Salisbury High School.

The Rider University sophomore picked up her first collegiate medal a few weeks ago.

Bauer capped her spring outdoor track and field season much in the same way her career as a Falcon played out. She placed second at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the long jump event with a mark of 5.79 meters. It was her first time since leaving high school that she hit 19 feet, and is now cemented in the Broncs’ record books.

“I was seeded fourth going in, and I knew the competition was going to be tough,” Bauer said. “But I just went in there like I had nothing to lose, and I couldn’t have asked for a better day. I got my first medal since being out of high school, I qualified for ECACs, I finally jumped 19 feet again, and I’m now No. 2 all-time at Rider in the long jump. It was the best moment of my college career.”

Bauer currently ranks second in school history in the long jump, only behind Asia Young’s mark of 19-7 1/2 set in 2017.

She also was impressive in the triple jump event after a rough start to her collegiate career. Bauer took fifth place at the MAAC Championships with a jump of 11.43 meters on Day 2 of the championships, securing a second-place finish for the Rider women.

“Triple jump is a huge work in progress, and my back and posture issues definitely held me back,” Bauer said. “But once I get it all figured out there are going to be some really big jumps coming.

“I’ve had to overcome a lot of different things these last two years, and my parents have been there through all of it. They never let me quit, and I 100 percent wouldn’t be back where I am today without them.”

That mark tied her personal bests since being at Rider. Shorty after the MAAC Championships, Bauer placed 18th in the long jump at the ECAC/IC4A Outdoor Championships on May 12.

“I wasn’t on the board on any of my three jumps, so they were technically a good amount further than what my marks showed,” Bauer said. “I was over 18 feet, which is what I shoot for every meet, so I was happy about that. But I know I belong at those high competition meets, and it was awesome to finally be there.”

In a few months, Bauer will be back competing on the indoor track and field scene as a junior. This past indoor season, she placed fifth in the long jump (5.59 meters) and sixth in the triple jump (11.22 meters) at the MAAC Indoor Championships. She’s hoping to take another leap forward next season.

“I had some so-so meets, but I’ve been battling with back issues,” Bauer said. “But this was by far my best season since being at Rider and I’m happy with how far I’ve come. I know I’ve got a lot left in me, and I’m excited to see what I can do.”