Stonehill Cross Country Sweeps NEC Championships in Historic Victory

By Sara Law

Photo Credit: Stonehill Athletics

For the first time in Stonehill College's Division I history, both the men's and women's cross-country teams captured Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship titles on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Brookville, New York.

Competing at Long Island University's campus, the Skyhawks delivered standout performances, defeating defending champion Central Connecticut State University in both races. The victories marked a significant milestone for Stonehill Athletics as the college continues to establish itself at the Division I level.

The women's team reclaimed the NEC title after previously winning the championship in 2023, while the men's team secured its first NEC Championship in program history. The sweep also marked the first time since 2017 that both programs won conference championships in the same season, when they competed in the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10).

The women's team finished with 39 points, edging out Central Connecticut State, which finished with 48 points. Senior Jordan Malloy led the Skyhawks with a second-place individual finish in the 6K race, crossing the finish line in 21:24.3.

Junior Emmy Belvin followed with a sixth-place finish, recording a personal-best time of 21:49.3. Junior Mallory Hildreth and sophomore Jayden Donnelly also contributed top 10 finishes, placing ninth and tenth, respectively, with personal-best performances.

Senior Emily Young, sophomore Isabella Galusha and freshman Kyra Florio-Marinello rounded out Stonehill's seven All-Conference selections. Florio-Marinello finished 14th overall and third among NEC freshmen, recording a personal-best time of 22:26.4.

The men's team delivered an equally impressive performance, dominating the 8K race with 33 points compared to Central Connecticut State's 77.

Senior Ryan Pereira led the Skyhawks with a third-place individual finish, recording a time of approximately 24:12. Fellow senior Dylan Brilliant followed closely behind in fifth place, while junior Ethan Fadden finished sixth.

Senior Nick Davies added an eighth-place finish, giving Stonehill four runners among the top eight competitors. Senior Ian Bubar finished 11th, helping the Skyhawks secure a commanding victory over the rest of the conference.

The depth of both teams played a crucial role in securing the championships. Rather than relying on a single standout runner, both teams demonstrated consistency throughout their lineups, placing multiple athletes among the top finishers in each race.

The championships represent another major achievement for Stonehill Athletics during its transition to Division I competition. With the addition of both cross-country titles, the Skyhawks have now captured four NEC team championships since joining the conference.

Beyond the individual accomplishments, the victories highlight the continued growth of Stonehill's cross country programs and their ability to compete against established Division I opponents.

Following their historic championship sweep, both teams will turn their attention to the NCAA Regional Championships on Friday, Nov. 13, where the Skyhawks will look to carry their momentum into postseason competition.

For Stonehill's men's and women's cross-country programs, the weekend was more than just a pair of championship victories. It was another step forward in establishing the Skyhawks as a competitive force in the Northeast Conference.