Sullivan Wins Athlete of the Week, Rodriguez Named Rookie of the Week

After a strong showing in last weekend's CCSU Ted Owen Invitational, James Sullivan and Mark Rodriguez were awarded Athlete of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively. 

Sullivan was named Athlete of the Week as well as a Prime Performer for a second time this season thanks to an impressive showing in the Blue Devils first home meet of the season at the Ted Owen Invitational at Stanley Park. Sullivan paced the Ted Owen Invitational in the lead pack and crossed the finish line in 25:29, winning the individual title. Sullivan has now won both individual races the Blue Devils have taken part in this fall.   

Five more Blue Devils finished in the top-20 and were named to this week's NEC Men's Cross Country Prime Performer list. These athletes include Jake Ireland, Yankarlos Diaz, Tim Lautenbach, Elias Field, and Mark Rodriguez. Ireland finished second with a time of 25:52, narrowly beating out Diaz who finished third with a time of 25:57. Lautenbach finished 12th (26:41), followed by Elias field in 15th (26:51) and Mark Rodriguez in 17th (26:58).  

Rodriguez was the first freshman runner from the NEC and the third freshman overall to cross the finish line, earning him NEC Rookie of the Week honors. 

Men's cross country will be back in action on Saturday, October 8th for the New England Championships at Franklin Park in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Sullivan paced the Ted Owen Invitational in the lead pack and crossed the finish line in 25:29. The sophomore earns his second NEC AOW award after placing second just two seconds behind the first place finisher.