Derek French Award NEC Rookie of the Week Week Of 10/29/2013 Sport Men's Cross Country School Central Connecticut State University Year Freshman Position Hometown Norwich, CT High School Norwich Free Academy French gave an impressive showing at Friday’s CCSU Mini Meet placing 36th out of 119 competitors. French was the first NEC freshman to cross the finish line with his time of 15:46.98 in the 5K race. He posted an average mile of 5:05.