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NEC Cross Country Release (10/28)

10/28/2026


NEC Men's Athlete of the Week: Aidan Budge, CCSU
NEC Men's Rookie of the Week: Connor Garrett, CCSU
NEC Women's Athlete of the Week: Mya Morabito, CCSU
NEC Women's Rookie of the Week: Ellie Ballard, CCSU

Previous NEC Releases: October 21 | 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 
Aidan Budge, Central Connecticut
5, Newtown, CT/Newtown
Budge capped off his regular season with a first place finish at the CCSU Mini Meet. The fifth year set a meet record with a 14:27.1 over the 5K course. Budge earned a league-best fourth NEC Athlete of the Week award and has significant momentum heading into the NEC Championships on Sunday.

NEC CROSS COUNTRY MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Connor Garrett, Central Connecticut
2, Hamden, CT/Hamden
Garrrett continued his strong rookie season with an 11th place finish at the CCSU Mini Meet. The Hamden, CT native registered a 15:04.8 result to secure his fourth NEC Rookie of the Week nod and will aim to help the Blue Devils secure a four-peat as NEC Champions.

NEC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Mya Morabito, Central Connecticut
4, New Milford, CT/New Milford
Morabito picked up a win on her home course with a first place finish at the CCSU Mini Meet. She ran the 3K course in 9:44.2 and remains a contender to take home the NEC crown on Oct. 31. Morabito finished the regular season with a league-high five NEC Athlete of the Week awards.
  
NEC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ellie Ballard, Central Connecticut
Fr., Hebron, CT/RHAM 
Ballard placed ninth at the CCSU mini meet, crossing the finish line in 10:10.1. Ballard's performance continues an impressive rookie campaign in which she has won three NEC Rookie of the Week awards and looks to be a significant contributor in CCSU's attempt for a three-peat.

NEC MEN'S PRIME PERFORMERS

Aidan Budge, 5, CCSU - 1st/99 at CCSU Mini Meet - 14:27.1 (5K)
Thomas Flanders IV, 3, CCSU - 17th/99 at CCSU Mini Meet - 15:17.4 (5K)
Connor Garrett, 2, CCSU - 1st/99 at CCSU Mini Meet - 15:04.8 (5K)

NEC WOMEN'S PRIME PERFORMERS

Ellie Ballard, 1, CCSU - 9th/69 at CCSU Mini Meet - 10:10.1 (3K)
Mya Morabito, 4, CCSU - 1st/69 at CCSU Mini Meet - 9:44.2 (3K)
Lillian Tabellione, 3, CCSU - 2nd/69 at CCSU Mini Meet - 9:53.1 (3K)
Jordan Malloy, Sr., CCSU - 4th/60 at Rothenburg Run - 10:09.3 (3K)

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
Oct. 28: Aidan Budge, CCSU

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
Oct. 28: Mya Morabito, CCSU

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. 21: Ronald Ciaccia, WAG
Oct. 28: Connor Garrett, CCSU

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
Oct. 28: Ellie Ballard, CCSU