Rafter Signs Professional Running Contract

Central Connecticut cross country and track & field star standout Angie Rafter has signed to run professionally for Hansons-Brooks ODP. The Blue Devils graduate student will complete her graduate degree this spring.

"I am so excited to continue to chase my dreams within this sport at the next level," said Rafter. "This has been a dream of mine since as long as I can remember. My experiences at CCSU and the support from Coach Blake, the rest of our coaching staff, my teammates, CCSU athletics, the NEC, and all my loved ones have made this possible. I wouldn't be the runner or woman I am today without all of those in my corner. At the end of the day, getting to this point has never been about me--it's been about making those who have supported me proud."

Arguably the most honored student-athlete in CCSU Athletics history, Rafter captured 19 Northeast Conference titles during her time in New Britain. This spring she completed her career by earning the NEC Indoor Most Valuable Performer and Most Outstanding Track Performer awards. It marked the fifth time she earned an NEC Most Outstanding Performer accolades in her storied career and the third Most Outstanding Track Performer honor.

"Its outstanding that Angie is going to continue training and racing," said CCSU head coach Eric Blake. "Her work ethic, talent and will to succeed will keep bringing her to the top of races. We wish Angie luck with racing for the Hanson's and her continued running career."

The Danielson, CT native didn't just excel on the track, but in the classroom as well. She was named the 2021-22 NEC Student-Athlete of the Year. She was also the league's nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award and was a semifinalist for that honor. Rafter, who earned her undergraduate degree in English with a 3.96 GPA and holds a perfect 4.0 in her psychology graduate courses, is an eight-time Scholar-Athlete of the Year honoree within the NEC.

Rafter was also a trail blazer on the cross-country course. Leading Central Connecticut to four straight NEC titles, she became just the second runner in NEC history to win three individual cross-country crowns. She helped CCSU to back-to-back NEC Indoor Track and Field Championships the past two seasons.