St. Lawrence senior All-American John Johnston was a repeat selection as Liberty League Runner of the Year.
St. Lawrence sweeps Liberty League Men's Cross Country awards
St. Lawrence University swept the Liberty League men's cross country awards as senior John Johnston earned Runner of the Year honors for the second straight year and freshman Scott Smolensky took home Rookie of the Year accolades.
Johnston earned All-America honors for the second straight season, finishing 3rd at the NCAA Championship race with a time of 24:06. He became one of only five St. Lawrence runners to earn All-America honors multiple times. Johnston also helped the Saints to their first NCAA Atlantic Region title since 2000, finishing second at the regional race with a time of 24:53. The Rockwood, Ontario native won four races this fall, including the Liberty League and NYSCTC championships. Johnston was his second straight Liberty League title with a time of 25:50, leading the Saints to their 18th straight conference crown.
Smolensky had an impressive opening year with the Saints, running in all of the championship races this fall. The Rochester, N.Y. native was seventh at the Liberty League Championship race and was also the top conference freshman finisher at the NYSCTC Championship (15th). He was the top freshman finisher at the Liberty League Championship and the only freshman to earn First Team All-Liberty League honors.
St. Lawrence University head coach John Newman and assistant coach Kate Curran earned Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors. It marks the seventh time that Newman has been selected as Coach of the Year as well as the fifth year in a row. Newman guided the Saints to their first NCAA Atlantic Region title since 2000. The Saints also placed eighth at the NCAA Championship race, marking their second top-8 finish in as many years.
The top seven finishers earned First Team All-Liberty League honors. Joining Johnston are Alex Benway (Clarkson), Seth Jackson (St. Lawrence), Sam Wagner (Vassar), Zach Williams (Vassar), Jeff Corelli (RPI) and Scott Smolensky (St. Lawrence).
Individuals finishing in places 8-14 received Second-Team All-Liberty League accolades. Second-team honorees include Sam Rakoc (St. Lawrence), Patrick Carroll (Clarkson), Steve Kiplagat (St. Lawrence), Patrick Cavanaugh (RPI), Kyle Reid (RIT), Will Healy (Vassar) and Alex Calderwood (St. Lawrence).