SUNYAC Announces 2025 Men's Cross Country Top Honors

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SUNYAC office releases its 2025 men's cross country annual awards as voted on by the conference coaches. Fredonia's Stephen Hallberg was voted Runner of the Year while Buffalo State's Ricky Curiel is the Rookie of the Year. Cortland was selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year.

Runner of the Year- Stephen Hallberg, Fredonia
Hallberg has been voted the Runner of the Year after winning the SUNYAC men's cross country individual title this season. He was named to the first team All-Conference team with the victory. Hallberg was named the Rookie of the Year last season after a third place finish at the SUNYAC meet. In 2025 he was the top SUNYAC finisher at regionals crossing the line in 23rd place (25:56.4).

Rookie of the Year - Ricky Curiel, Buffalo State
In his first year running for the Bengals, Curiel placed third at the SUNYAC championship meet earning him a spot on the All-SUNYAC first team. He went on to finish 30th overall with a time of 26:07 at the Niagara Regional meet. Curiel is the first All-Region athlete for Buffalo State men's cross country since 2012.

Coaching Staff of the Year - Cortland
Steve Patrick is the head coach of the Cortland men's cross country team and he is assisted by Chad Dunham, Bob Vidulich and Marissa Formes-Patrick. In 2025, the staff guided their team to it's second-straight and 16th overall men's cross country team title. Three Red Dragons were recognized on the All-Conference teams after they finished the SUNYAC championship race in the top 15. The team placed 11th out of 27 schools at the 2025 NCAA Division III Niagara Region men's cross country championship hosted by RIT at Genesee Valley Park.