CCSU Hosts NEC Championships Saturday - PARKING ADVISORY
Due to damage and downed trees in the park area from the weather this week, Stanley Quarter Park will not be available for parking. Fans are advised to park in the Welte Garage on campus and walk over to the race area.
Central Connecticut will be the host for the 2019 Northeast Conference Championships on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, CT. The men's 8K race will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the women's 5K at noon. All 11 NEC schools will participate in the meet and the first five finishers from each school will count for scoring. Admission into Stanley Quarter Park is free.
Due to damage and downed trees in the park area from the weather this week, Stanley Quarter Park will not be available for parking. Fans are advised to park in the Welte Garage on campus and walk over to the race area. CCSU CAMPUS MAP
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM | CHAMPIONSHIP HEADQUARTERS
The CCSU men's cross country team is led by senior Roberto Piotto, who has finished in the top six of every race so far this season. The Glastonbury, CT native as been named NEC Athlete of the Week twice (Sept. 5 & Oct. 16) and has finished first overall twice (Marist Invitational & 17th Annual CCSU Mini Meet) this year.
Freshman Elias Field has had a strong start to his rookie season. The Woodbury, CT native has been named the Rookie of the Week three times this year (Sept. 5, Oct. 2 & Oct. 16) and finished 17th in a field of 95 runners at the 17th Annual CCSU Mini Meet.
Piotto, along with classmate Richard Grudzwick, were named to the 2018 All-Conference Team after finishing in sixth and 12th place respectively last year in the championship meet. The duo, along with 2018 graduate Alex Norstrom, helped lead the Blue Devils to a fourth place team finish. Mount St. Mary's was crowned the 2018 champions after totaling 44 points.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM | CHAMPIONSHIP HEADQUARTERS
The women's cross country team looks to defend their championship title after being crowned the 2018 NEC Champions for the first time since 1999. Junior Angie Rafter was the first overall finisher with a time of 18:03.6. She was named to the All-Conference Team and named the 2018 NEC Most Outstanding Performer.
In the three races so far this season, Rafter has won the gold twice and is coming off a first place finish and personal best time (9:51.5 - 3K) at the 17th Annual CCSU Mini Meet. She has also been named Athlete of the Week twice (Oct. 2 & Oct. 16).
Junior Megan Brawner, who finished fourth in last year's championship meet, along with the 2018 NEC Freshman of the Year Ashley Dana, are two other runners from the Blue Devils squad ready to keep the title in New Britain.