Dana Named NEC Team Student-Athlete Of The Year

Central Connecticut track and field and cross-country standout Ashley Dana was named the 2022-23 Northeast Conference Female Team Student-Athlete of the Year, it was announced at the league's annual meetings on Wednesday. Dana, the fourth Blue Devil all-time, and second in as many years to earn the award.

"Congratulations to Ashley for her selection as the NEC Student-Athlete of the Year," said CCSU Director of Athletics Tom Pincince. "Ashley is the epitome of a student-athlete, with success on the track and in the classroom, all while being an active member within SAAC and the local community. We are immensely proud of her accomplishments."

Dana is working towards her Master's Degree in Psychology and has posted a 4.00 GPA in her post graduate studies. As an undergrad she earned a Psychological Science degree, with a 3.88 GPA.  She is a 11-time NEC Commissioner's Honor Roll and NEC Academic Honor Roll honoree. She earned Dean's List in eight semesters during her time at CCSU and is a 2022-23 CSC Academic All-Region honoree.

A Durham, CT native, Dana has delivered numerous team championships and individual records over the course of her career. This spring, she earned Co-Most Outstanding Track Performer at the NEC Championships, an honor she took home at the 2022 Indoor Championship. That indoor performance helped CCSU to its first of back-to-back NEC indoor track and field crowns. All told, she has won six NEC gold medals during her career.

"Ashley embodies all of the qualities that we are looking for when we describe what a Blue Devil is," said CCSU head track and field/cross country coach Eric Blake. "She is a tremendous teammate, an excellent student, a talented runner and an even better person. I couldn't be happier that Ashley is being recognized by the NEC with this well-deserved honor."

Dana has been part of five NEC Cross Country Championships since her arrival in New Britain. She captured the individual crown at the 2020-21 Championship and competed at the NCAA Cross Country Championship. She earned NEC Freshman of the Year honors at the 2018 championship, to help start the Blue Devils reign in that championship.

On the track, Dana has been a record setter, and currently hold three individual school records and is part of the school record indoor DMR. She holds the outdoor 800 and 1500 records, as well as the indoor 1000, and has run 10 school records during her career.

Dana is the fourth Blue Devil student-athlete, and third member of the cross country/track and field programs, to earn the Team Student-Athlete of the Year award since its inception in 2002-03. Sabrina Mariani (soccer) won the inaugural award and Katherine Bossardet (cross country/track & field) captured the honor in 2010-11. Angie Rafter (cross country/track & field) became the third CCSU honoree last season.