Cortland and Oneonta take 2024 SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Awards
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SUNYAC office announces its 2024 women's cross country annual awards as voted on by the conference coaches. Cortland's Melissa Innocent was voted Runner of the Year while Oneonta's Anna Kern is the Rookie of the Year. Cortland was selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year.
Runner of the Year- Melissa Innocent, Cortland
As a sophomore, Innocent was the top finisher in the SUNYAC championship meet to help lead the Red Dragons to their first team title since 2010. With the first place finish, Innocent was inducted into the conference's Cross Country Hall of Fame. She went on to earn All-Region with a 15th place finish at the Niagara Regional championship and was an individual qualifier for the 2024 NCAA championship meet. Innocent was also named the SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week three times this season.
Rookie of the Year - Anna Kern, Oneonta
Kern was the first freshman across the line at the 2024 SUNYAC Championship meet where she finished eighth overall. She was also the highest conference freshman finisher in the Niagara Regional championship. Kern was 54th out of 156 runners finishing the 6k race in 24:04.5.
Coaching Staff of the Year - Cortland
The Cortland women's cross country team is led by Steve Patrick and assisted by Chad Dunham, Bob Vidulich and Marissa Formes-Patrick. The staff led their team to it's 17th overall women's cross country team title and first since 2010. Five Red Dragons crossed the line in the top 15 to earn All-Conference recognition this season including the SUNYAC champion and Runner of the Year, Melissa Innocent. The team finished 10th place out of 21 schools at the 2024 NCAA Division III Niagara Region women's cross country championships.
