EASTON, Massachusetts (November 11, 2022) - The Stonehill College women's cross country team competed in the NEC Championship meet in October, hosted by Saint Francis (Pa.) University at the B&D Acres Course. The Skyhawks shined in their first Division One meet, receiving multiple All-Conference team awards. Today, the NEC announced a group of young runners who received All-Rookie team tops, as well as the Skyhawks Head Coach receiving the Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

All-Rookie Team Runners

• Freshman Jordan Malloy (Colchester, Connecticut/Bacon Academy): A Conference-record five-time NEC Rookie of the Week, as well as given the honor of NEC  Freshman of the Year and a spot on the All-Conference team, placed ninth in the NEC Championships with a time of 18:38.9. She was the top placed rookie finisher, completing her impressive first season.
• Freshman Ava Cote (Wenham, Massachusetts/Hamilton Wenham Regional): Marking her first year as a Skyhawk, Cote has progressively climbed up the leaderboard at each meet, making this Freshman class a strong threat for future seasons. She placed 25^th in the NEC Championship meet with a time of 19:19.5
• Freshman Emily Young (Newton, Massachusetts/Beverly): Finishing in the Top 30 at the NEC Championships with a time of 19:27.2, and making the top-7 rookie finishers, Young has been a critical part of this seasons finishing times, as well as the future of the Skyhawks Cross Country in the next few seasons. 

"These women are amazing. They fought so hard through COVID, high school, and the recruiting process. They brought in 100% into our tradition and philosophy. A big shout out to the other women on the team who mentored them, helped them and paved the way for them. It's just amazing what this group of women have accomplished. Huge shout out to Jordan Malloy, she has the maturity unlike many freshman I have seen in the past. To have three of them earn this honor is just a tribute to all of the women who have been on the team in the past." Coach Karen Boen recognizes this accomplishment that three of her runners have earned.

Coach of the Year

Just finishing her 25^th year coaching the Stonehill Women's Cross country team, Karen Boen, a member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, led her team to place second overall at the NEC Championships in a tie-breaker. The Skyhawks placed second overall in a tie-breaker between CCSU with 47 points. During her career, she has earned a total of 66 NE10 and U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) East Region Coach of the Year Awards. In previous years, she has coached both the Women's Cross Country team and the Women's Track and Field team, who have captured 18 NE10 Championships, 16 NCAA East Regional titles, and have appeared in 21 NCAA Championships. Boen also coaches the Men's Cross Country team and the men have won eight NE10 Championships, five NCAA East Regional titles, and appeared in 18 NCAA Championships. 

"I'm beyond overjoyed and shocked at this recognition of coach of the year! It speaks volumes about the integrity of the other coaches in the NEC, that they welcomed us and supported us and have the respect for what we are doing, and voted for me . I feel as though I am among some really great coaches in the NEC, I am humbled and I am so glad that we made a mark in the NEC and hopefully contribute to the future success of the conference." Coach Karen Boen states after finding out she received the NEC Coach of the Year award.

The Skyhawks also had four women's runners and a single men's runner earn All-Conference team, which was announced at the end of the NEC Championship meet in Tyrone, Pennsylvania:

NEC Women's All-Conference Team
Emma Lawrence (Sophomore)
Victoria Lombardi (Senior)
Jordan Malloy (Freshman)
Rebecca Erhard (Fifth Year)

NEC Men's All-Conference Team
Colin Black (Senior)

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