Ireland, Kraszewski Honored By NEC For Second Straight Race

For the second consecutive race, Central Connecticut State took home both Northeast Conference Cross Country weekly honors. Jacob Ireland captured his third NEC Athlete of the Week award of the season, in four races, while Michael Kraszewski was tabbed the league's Rookie of the Week for the second straight race. Brandan Mellitt, Eddie Nicholas and James Sullivan all received NEC Prime Performer recongition as the Blue Devils ran to a New England Team Championship last Friday.

The Blue Devils accumulated 38 points in winning the championship, the second in Blue Devil program history. Central won by 37 points over runner-up Providence. The race, which has been contested since 1912 had 217 runners start the event.

Ireland earned his accolade after finishing as the individual runner-up. He ran a time of 24:18.9 to pace the Blue Devils championship effort. The East Hampton, CT native has been the NEC Athlete of the Week in three of the four races the team has run, taking home the honor following the Ted Owen Invite and the Paul Short Invitational the past two outings.

Kraszewski, a native of East Haddam, CT, earned the rookie honors for the second straight race. He placed 39th in the field for CCSU, running a time of 25:31.09

Sullivan was the Blue Devils second finisher, crossing the line in fourth place overall, with a time of 24:24.96. Brendan Mellitt fnished in sixth place with a run of 24:38.0, while Eddie Nicholas was just outside the top-10 with his 24:53.07 placing him 11th.

The Blue Devils return to action on Friday, October 25th when they host the CCSU Mini Meet. A week later CCSU will host the NEC Championship. Both races will be held at Stanley Quarter Park.