Smith, Abdoulaye earn top honors as Liberty League announces men's cross country awards
2015 Liberty League Men's Cross Country Awards
RUNNER OF THE YEAR: Joseph Smith, St. Lawrence University, Jr., Moultonborough, N.H.
St. Lawrence University junior Joe Smith was selected as the Liberty League Runner of the Year. Smith led the Saints to the Liberty League by winning the individual championship with a time of 25:36.25. He was the league’s top finisher at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship, crossing the line in a tie for second place with teammate Thomas Caulfield in 25:18.1. Smith ran his best time of the year, earning All-America honors with a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championship, crossing the line in 24:34.6.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Sidi Abdoulaye, St. Lawrence, Fr., South Burlington, Vt.
St. Lawrence University freshman Sidi Abdoulaye was chosen as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. A six-time selection as Liberty League rookie of the week, Abdoulaye earned All-Liberty League first-team honors by finishing third at the league championship in a time of 25:46.22. He was the top freshman finisher at the NCAA Atlantic Regional, placing 10th (25:38.5). Abdoulaye was the Saints’ third finisher across the line at the NCAA Division III Championship, finishing 134th in the field of 278 with a time of 25:41.8.
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 21st consecutive Liberty League title, the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship and a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championship. Newman’s squad placed second out of 40 teams at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship to earn automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Championship. It marked the team’s eighth straight appearance at the national championship meet. Newman is assisted by Kate Curran.
FIRST TEAM ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE:
Sidi Abdoulaye, Fr., St. Lawrence
James Bailey, So., RIT
Thomas Caulfield, Jr., St. Lawrence
Benjamin Fazio, Jr., RPI
Wesley Kirui, Sr., St. Lawrence
Spencer Patterson, Sr., St. Lawrence
Joseph Smith, Jr., St. Lawrence
SECOND TEAM ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE:
Jesse Coull, Sr., Union
Benjamin Fishbein, Jr., St. Lawrence
Steven Hammar, Sr., RPI
Grant O’Connor, Fr., RPI
Michael Scarlett, So., Vassar
Matthew Stewart, So., RPI
Justin Zorn, Jr., Union
* All-Liberty League based on place finish at Liberty League Championship