Women Finish Second, Men Third at NECC Championship

WATERFORD, Conn. - The Mitchell College men's and women's cross country teams competed at the 2012 New England Collegiate Conference Championship on Saturday at Harkness Memorial State Park.

The Mitchell women finished as runner-up for the second year in a row. The men's team placed third out of five squads. Lesley University took home the team titles in both the men's and women's races.

The Mariners also had three runners finish among the top-10 in either field, earning them automatic all-conference distinction. Freshman Sheilah Newcity finished eighth in the women's 5K race with a time of 22:14. On the men's side, freshman Spencer Daniel and junior Drew Castagna placed eighth and ninth, respectively. Daniel covered the 8K course in 31:12 while Castagna, who earned all-conference honors for the third time in his career, crossed the finish in 31:12.

Mitchell head coach Todd Peretz was named NECC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. Lesley head coach Dan Flynn was named NECC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

The Mariners will next compete at the NCAA Regional on Saturday, November 10 in Westfield, Mass.


2012 NECC Championship

Women's Team Winner: Lesley University
Women's Team Runner-Up: Mitchell College

Women's Runner of the Year: Keryn Thorvaldsen, Lesley
Women's Rookie of the Year: Emilia McGrath, Lesley
Women's Coach of the Year: Todd Peretz, Mitchell College
Women's Team Sportsmanship: Elms College

Women's All-Conference First Team
Keryn Thorvaldsen, Lesley
Leah Miller, Lesley
Emilia McGrath, Lesley
Jackie Rosa, Lesley
Alice Lala, Southern Vermont

Women's All-Conference Second Team
Noa Kupfer, Lesley
Haley Omasta, Southern Vermont
Sheilah Newcity, Mitchell
Elena Pereira, Lesley
Devon DeGrazia, Elms

Men's Team Champion: Lesley University
Men's Team Runner-Up: Southern Vermont College

Men's Runner of the Year: Max Bulger, Lesley
Men's Rookie of the Year: Nick Green, Lesley
Men's Coach of the Year: Dan Flynn, Lesley
Men's Team Sportsmanship: Elms College

Men's All-Conference First Team
Max Bulger, Lesley
Andy Scott, Lesley
Nick Green, Lesley
Joshua Ceasar, Southern Vermont
Evan Reseka, Lesley

Men's All-Conference Second Team
Chris Conforti, Lesley
Ian Barber, Lesley
Spencer Daniel, Mitchell
Andrew Castagna, Mitchell
Victor Velazquez, Southern Vermont