Boston College Athletics
Track And Field And Cross Country Team Announce Awards
May 22, 2007 | Men's Track & Field
May 22, 2007
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The Boston College men's and women's cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams announced their team awards recently. The following Eagles have been presented awards recognizing their achievements this past year:
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Most Valuable Performer: Patrick Mellea, Jr (North Arlington, NJ) Patrick became the first male athlete in over a decade to qualify for the NCAA National Championships. He gained ALL-ACC, ALL-Region, and NCAA Academic All-American honors. Most Improved: David Emerson, So (Westford, VT) David made huge strides from his freshman to his sophomore year and became Mr. Dependable for the men. He went from the #7 guy on the team to the consistent #4 man. Rookie of the Year: Jordan Peeples, Fr (Brattleboro, VT) As a freshman, Jordan made an immediate impact on the men's team. He consistently finished as the team's number 5 scorer.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Most Valuable Performer: Mallory Champa, So (Clearwater, KS) After a slow start due to injury in the summer, Mallory improved each week of the season. Her season was highlighted by her 34th place finish at the NCAA National Championships. In doing so, she became the 9th BC female cross country runner to earn ALL-American honors. In addition, Champa also gained ALL-ACC and ALL-Region honors for her 12th and 7th place finishes, respectively. Most Improved: Nikki Tufts, Jr (London, ONT, CAN) Nikki had a breakthrough cross country season for the ladies. She came around at the Pre-national Championships and finished as BC's #2 runner and was a top 4 runner every meet. Rookie of the Year: Brielle Chabot, Fr (Wellesley, MA) It was evident from her first run at pre-season camp that Brielle would be an impact athlete for the ladies this year... As a freshman, Chabot was a solid top-5 runner for the ladies and even earned ALL-Region honors- the only freshman to do so.
MEN'S TRACK & FIELD Co-Most Valuable Performer: Patrick Mellea, Jr (North Arlington, NJ) Patrick's cross country success translated to setting records on the track. At the BU Valentine Invitational in February, Patrick ran 4:03.26 fro the 1-mile run to break Tom Horton's 27-year old B.C. indoor 1-mile school record. Patrick also etched his name in the BC Record Books as the #4 time all-time in the 3,000m (8:05.94), #4 all-time in the 5,000m (14:12.94), and #4 all-time in the 1,500m (3:46.24). Co-Most Valuable Performer: Dan LaFave, Sr. (Birmingham, MI) Dan's contributions over the past 4 years culminated with his name in the BC Record Books as well. Dan ran 1:03.x to win the 500m run at the BU, PC, BC Tri-Meet. His time ranks him #2 all-time in the 500m run. Dan ran a 1:51.5 relay split on BC's 4x800m relay team that won the college section of the 4x800m relay at the Penn Relays. He was also the 800m leg on the All-ACC DMR squad. Most Improved: Josh Springer, Jr (Westerly, RI) Josh stepped up in the middle distance area this year for the men. He was the lead off 1200 leg (3:02.2) for the DMR squad that earned ALL-ACC honors at the ACC Indoor Championships. Josh also improved over 7 seconds in the 1,500m this year to 3:52.9 Rookie of the Year: Brendan Gaffney, Fr (Kingston, NY) Brendan was the surprise quarter-miler this year for the men. His 49.9 run indoors ranked him as the #13 all-time 400m runner in the BC Record Book.
WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD Co-Most Valuable Performer: Kasey Hill Jr. (Montgomery Village, VT) Kasey became multi-event coach, John Buckley's first NCAA All-American at the Indoor NCAA Championships in the pentathlon. Kasey managed to break her own BC school record a total of 5-times during the season. Kasey red-shirted the outdoor season and will return for a full 5th year of eligibility. Co-Most Valuable Performer: Tiana Riel Jr. (Hopkinton, MA) Fellow multi-event teammate Tiana picked up outdoors where Kasey Hill left off indoors... In the heptathlon this outdoor season, Riel has provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships, finished 3rd at the ACC Championships, and won the New England Championships! Most Improved: Kristen Coon, 5th Yr (Webster, NY) Coming late to the steeplechase, Kristen made a huge jump in performance in her 5th year at BC. The former lacrosse player now sits #2 all-time on the BC list for the women's steeplechase with a 10:29.58. Rookie of the Year: Caitlin Bailey, Fr (Oakville, ONT, CAN) Caitlin may have had the most impressive freshman year ever at B.C. She qualified for the NCAA Indoor National Championships in the 800m run and ran the #2 all-time times in BC history in the 800 indoors (2:05.41), the #3 BC all-time 500 indoors (1:12.91) and 800 outdoors (2:07.67), and #4 BC all-time in the 400 (56.45).
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