NEC Men's Athlete of the Week: Brian Masai, Jr., LIU
NEC Men's Rookie of the Week: Connor Garrett, 2nd, CCSU
NEC Women's Athlete of the Week: Mya Morabito, 4th., CCSU
NEC Women's Rookie of the Week: Gianna Marina Hartman, Fr., LIU
Previous NEC Releases: Men's Preseason Poll Release |
Women's Preseason Poll Release
NEC CROSS COUNTRY MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Brian Masai, LIU
So., Mt. Elgon, Kenya/Kabarnet
Masai impressed in his first race of the 2026 campaign, placing fourth in a field of 156 runners at the Adelphi Invite on Friday. The sophomore clocked a 25:05.2 over 8K and bested several runners from the likes of Bryant, Cornell, CCSU, Iona and Monmouth. Masai's performance helped LIU to a sixth-place team finish in a field of 18 squads.
NEC CROSS COUNTRY MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Connor Garrett, Central Connecticut
2nd, Hamden, CT/Hamden
Garrett raced to a 36th place finish at the Adelphi Invite in his first cross country meet. The Hamden, CT native registered a 27:10.3 mark over the 8K course.
NEC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Mya Morabito, Central Connecticut
4th, New Milford, CT/New Milford
Morabito had a strong start to the season with an 11th place finish in a jampacked field of 120 runners at the Adelphi Invite. The New Milford, CT native ran a 22:38.2 6K and was the top Central Connecticut finisher at the meet. The Blue Devils finished 5th out of 17 teams at the event.
NEC CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Gianna Marina Hartman, LIU
Fr., Mahopac, NY/Mahopac
Marina Hartman started her career with a good showing at the Adelphi Invite, posting an 18th place finish with a 23:18.7 result. The rookie put forth LIU's best individual effort at the event and guided LIU to an 8th place finish.
NEC MEN'S PRIME PERFORMERS
Aidan Budge, 5th, CCSU - 6th/156 at Adelphi Invite - 25:20.8 (8K)
Thomas Flanders, 3rd, CCSU - 27th/156 at Adelphi Invite - 26:34.0 (8K)
Jalen Goode, So., FDU - 1st place in a dual meet vs. Saint Peter's
Brian Masai, So., LIU - 4th/156 at Adelphi Invite - 25:02.2 (8K)
NEC WOMEN'S PRIME PERFORMERS
Ellie Ballard, 1st, CCSU - 25th/120 at Adelphi Invite - 23:34.9 (6K)
Mya Morabito, 4th, CCSU - 11th/120 at Adelphi Invite - 22:38.2 (6K)
Lilian Tabellione, 3rd, CCSU - 13th/120 at Adelphi Invite - 22:48.2 (6K)
Temi Adebayo, So., FDU - 3rd place in a dual meet vs. Saint Peter's
Ally Carillo, Sr., LIU - 26th/120 at Adelphi Invite - 23:35.4 (6K)
Gianna Marina Hartman, Fr., LIU - 18th/120 at Adelphi Invite - 23:18.7 (6K)
2026 NEC CROSS COUNTRY WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:
MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Brian Masai, LIU
WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Mya Morabito, CCSU
MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Connor Garrett, CCSU
WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 10: Gianna Marina Hartman, LIU