From the Northeast Conference

Bridgewater, NJ –- A Northeast Conference (NEC) distance running powerhouse will look to add another chapter to its storied legacy this fall.

In 2023, the Central Connecticut men's cross country team won a record 11th NEC title and the Blue Devils are predicted to end up on top again based off this season's preseason poll as voted on by the conference's head coaches.

The Blue Devils reeled in seven first-place votes, while Wagner received the remaining two top-place tallies.

Stonehill was selected to finish third, while LIU and Le Moyne rounded out the top-five in that order, respectively. Saint Francis U and FDU came in at the sixth and seventh spots, with league newcomers Mercyhurst and Chicago State filling in eighth and ninth.

CCSU comes off a dominant showing at the 2023 NEC meet that saw the Blue Devils sport five of the top seven finishers. 

2023 Most Outstanding Performer and individual conference champion James Sullivan (Redding, CT/Immaculate) returns to lead the CCSU crew on their quest for title number 12. The rising senior clocked a 25:12.70 to cross the tape eight seconds ahead of the field. It marked the third straight top-10 finish at the event for Sullivan.

Joining Sullivan are fellow All-Conference performers Aidan Budge (Newton, CT/Newtown) and Eddie Nicholas (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug). Budge, the 2023 NEC Freshmen of the Year, placed fourth at the conference championship a year ago with a time of 25:32.80. Nicholas, who was the 2021 NEC individual champion and a three-time All-NEC honoree, recorded a 25:36.00 time to finish right behind his teammate in fifth.

The Blue Devils, who enjoyed a record nine-year NEC reign from 2009-17, have won 11 of the last 15 conference crowns.

The Seahawks' flock is led by Johnny Sokoll (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's Boys), who finished 16th at the 2023 championship. Maxime Ricci (Bordeaux, France/Lycée des Graves) will play a key role for Wagner, as well. Ricci came on strong last spring, finishing his freshman season with a pair of top-three finishes at the NEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5K (third) and the 10K (second).

Another top-10 NEC finisher from a year ago was Dylan Brilliant (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth South), who is is back for his sophomore season in a Stonehill uniform. Brilliant placed ninth with a 25:51.80 showing.

The league welcomes Chicago State and Mercyhurst in their debut season of competition.

The 2024 NEC Cross Country Championship is scheduled for November 1 and will be hosted by CCSU. All nine NEC institutions are eligible to participate in the championship.

2024 Northeast Conference
Men's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll
 
                1. CCSU (7)
                2. Wagner (2)
                3. Stonehill
                4. LIU
                5. Le Moyne
                6. Saint Francis U
                7. FDU
                8. Mercyhurst
                9. Chicago St.


About The Northeast Conference
Now entering its 44th season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of nine institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Chicago (#3), Boston (#8). Hartford/New Haven (#32) and Syracuse (#87). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 25 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 16 different NCAA Championships. NEC full member institutions include Central Connecticut, Chicago State, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league's official website official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports.