Bay Path competes in NECC Cross-Country Championships at Stanley Park, Westfield, Mass.

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The 2019 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) cross country championships were held Saturday morning with the Elms College women's team repeating as victors.

It was a picturesque New England autumn morning as the sun glistened off the remaining foliage while a slight breeze created crisp running conditions at Stanley Park. Temperatures rose to 56 degrees by the time of the women's 5,000 meter competition as the seven squads took to the starting line. 

Lesley University sophomore Kayla Ranere (Danbury, Conn.) was the first women's finisher at 22:06. Ranere came through the finish line 11 seconds ahead of the runner-up to earn the 2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year award; it also marked the second-straight year that she made the All-NECC First Team after she finished seventh overall at the 2018 title meet.

New England College freshman Haleigh Bilodeau (Weare, N.H.) had a stellar showing in her first collegiate championship—placing second overall with a mark of 22:17 to pick up the 2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year accolade.

Elms, however, would claim the next five placements to walk away with the crown—posting 20 team points while the next squad totaled 75. That led to head coach Tyler Raymond being selected by his peers as the 2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

EC junior Tyana Medina (Springfield, Mass.) was the first Blazer to come through the chute—doing so with a time of 22:30. Elms freshman Margaret Mathon (Williston, Vt.) and junior Julia Trezza (Wilbraham, Mass.) followed at 22:40 and 22:54, respectively, to round out the top five.

Lesley finished second in the team rankings as the Lynx edged Dean (79) by four points.

2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year
Kayla Ranere, So. / Lesley

2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year
Haleigh Bilodeau, Fr. / New England College

2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Tyler Raymond, Elms

2019 NECC Women's Cross Country All-First Team
1) Kayla Ranere, So. / Lesley
2) Haleigh Bilodeau, Fr. / New England College
3) Tyana Medina, Jr. / Elms
4) Margaret Mathon, Fr. / Elms
5) Julia Trezza, Jr. / Elms
6) Emily Guillerault, Sr. / Elms
7) Keara Moulton, Jr. / Elms

2019 NECC Women's Cross Country All-Second Team
8) Sitaara Muhammad, So. / Dean
9) Carlie Mallo, So. / New England College
10) Michelle Redenz, Fr. / Elms
11) Aizhane Glenn, Fr. / Mitchell
12) Marcenzya Melvin, Fr. / Dean
13) Nathalia Minchala, Fr. / Dean
14) Grace Burns, So. / Mitchell

2019 NECC Women's Cross Country Del Malloy Sportsmanship Team
Kamryn McCorison , Bay Path University
Natalia Minchala, Dean College
Elizabeth Gillis, Eastern Nazarene College
Keara Moulton, Elms College
Kayla Renere, Lesley University
Grace Burns, Mitchell College
Carlie Mallo, New England College

ABOUT THE NECC 

The NECC began competition in the 2008-09 academic year and current member institutions compete across 15 sports. The NECC membership focuses on providing athletic competition among institutions that share similar academic aspirations and are committed to the importance of the total educational experience for students engaged in sports. Current members include Bay Path University, Becker College, Dean College, Eastern Nazarene College, Elms College, Lesley University, Mitchell College and New England College. 

(Release courtesy of Bay Path Sports Information)