Giannino named top runner as Liberty League announces men's cross country awards

December 02, 2013

Liberty League Men's Cross Country Awards

RUNNER OF THE YEAR: Matt Giannino, RIT, Jr., Syracuse, N.Y.

The individual champion at the 2013 Liberty League Championship, RIT junior Matt Giannino was selected as the Liberty League Runner of the Year. A two-time selection as Liberty League runner of the week, Giannino recorded a nine-second victory at the league championship, finishing the 8,000-meter course in a meet-record time of 25:08. He also recorded an individual victory at the Highlander Invitational while placing 15th out of 372 runners in the brown division at the Paul Short Invitational.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Thomas Caulfield, St. Lawrence, Fr., Durham, N.H.

St. Lawrence University freshman Thomas Caulfield was selected as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. The Liberty League's top freshman finisher at the NCAA Atlantic Regional meet, Caulfield finished 24th overall to help the Saints to a fourth-place team finish, which earned the squad an at-large bid to the national championship meet. Caulfield earned All-Liberty League first-team honors by finishing in the top seven at the league championship. The top St. Lawrence finisher at the NCAA Championship, Caulfield was also selected as the rookie of the meet at the New York State Collegiate Track Conference after placing sixth overall.

COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: St. Lawrence University - John Newman, head coach; Kate Curran, assistant Coach

St. Lawrence University head coach John Newman led the Saints to their 19th consecutive Liberty League title after placing four runners in the top seven. Only one of the team's top six finishers was a senior. St. Lawrence also earned a fourth NYSCTC championship in the last five years. The Saints placed fourth at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship, earning an at-large bid to the national meet. Newman is assisted by Kate Curran.