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NEC Cross Country Release (10/21)

10/21/2026


NEC Men's Athlete of the Week: Brian Masai, LIU
NEC Men's Rookie of the Week: Ronald Ciaccia, WAG
NEC Women's Athlete of the Week: Isabella O'Donnell, LEM
NEC Women's Rookie of the Week: Gianna Marina Hartmann, LIU

Previous NEC Releases: October 14 | September 30 | September 23 | September 16 | September 10 | Men's Preseason Poll Release | Women's Preseason Poll Release

NEC CROSS COUNTRY MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK 
Brian Masai, LIU
Jr., Mt. Elgon, Kenya/Kabarnet
Masai earned his second NEC Athlete of the Week nod with a strong showing at the IC4A Championships last week. The junior placed 69th in a 286-runner field that was loaded with some of the Northeast's top mid-major programs. Masai ran the 8K course in 25:02.3, making him the NEC's fastest runner at the event. 

NEC CROSS COUNTRY MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ronald Ciaccia, Wagner
Fr., Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge
Ciaccia was the league's top freshman at the IC4A Championships, placing 211th. The Old Bridge, NJ native clocked in at 26:32.2 over 8K and was the second-fastest Wagner entrant.

NEC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Isabella O'Donnell, Le Moyne
Jr., Latham, NY/Shaker
O'Donnell earned her first-ever NEC Athlete of the Week award thanks to a strong result at the Canisius Alumni Classic. The Latham, NY product placed sixth in a field of 122 athletes. She posted an 18:10.3 over 5K, making her Le Moyne's top finisher at the meet.
  
NEC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Gianna Marina Hartmann, LIU
Fr., Mahopac, NY/Mahopac
Marina Hartmann continued her excellent rookie season with her third NEC Rookie of the Week nod. She paced LIU at the ECAC Championships with a 142nd place finish in the field of 286 runners. The freshman registered a 22:27.8 mark over 6K.

NEC MEN'S PRIME PERFORMERS

Carson Campbell, Jr., LEM - 15th/139 at Canisius Alumni Classic - 25:12.3 (8K)
Brian Masai, Jr., LIU - 69th/286 at IC4A Championships - 25:02.3 (8K)
Thomas Gaydos, So., MU - 12th/139 at Canisius Alumni Classic - 25:00.0 (8K)

NEC WOMEN'S PRIME PERFORMERS

Isabella O'Donnell, Jr., LEM - 6th/122 at Canisius Alumni Classic - 18:10.3 (5K)
Gianna Marina Hartmann, Fr., LIU - 142nd/286 at ECAC Championships - 22:27.8 (5K)

2026 NEC CROSS COUNTRY WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:

MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Brian Masai, LIU
Sept. 16: Brendan Wilder, STO
Sept. 23: Aidan Budge, CCSU & Brendan Wilder, STO
Sept. 30: Aidan Budge, CCSU
Oct. 14: Aidan Budge, CCSU
Oct. 21: Brian Masai, LIU

WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Mya Morabito, CCSU
Sept. 16: Jordan Malloy, STO
Sept. 23: Mya Morabito, CCSU
Sept. 30: Mya Morabito, CCSU
Oct. 14: Mya Morabito, CCSU
Oct. 21: Isabella O'Donnell, LEM

MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Connor Garrett, CCSU
Sept. 16: Ronald Ciaccia, WAG
Sept. 23: Connor Garrett, CCSU
Sept. 30: Connor Garrett, CCSU
Oct. 14: Atley Phinney, STO
Oct. 14: Ronald Ciaccia, WAG

WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Gianna Marina Hartman, LIU
Sept. 16: Kyra Florio-Marinello, STO
Sept. 23: Ellie Ballard, CCSU
Sept. 30: Ellie Ballard, CCSU
Oct. 14: Gianna Marina Hartman, LIU
Oct. 21: Gianna Marina Hartman, LIU