Depina, Waldroop Claim Major Awards as Men’s Cross Country Finishes Second at NECC Championships

HENNIKER, N.H.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's cross country team captured second at the New England Collegiate Conference Championships Saturday at New England College.

Sophomore Xavier Depina (Whitman, Mass.) garnered Rookie of the Year honors and All-NECC first team accolades after finishing second with a time of 34:48.8 in his first collegiate race.

Head coach Kylie Waldroop was voted NECC Coach of the Year as the Lions finished just three points out of first-place behind New England College.

Ryan Polsgrove (Elkhart, Ind.) posted a time of 39:15.7 to grab seventh while Aaron Huang (Quincy, Mass.) earned 11th after crossing the finish line in 43:05.0.

Joseph Merrigan (Quincy, Mass.) recorded a mark of 43:18.1 and Devano Clarke (Hyannis, Mass.) traversed the course in 44:32.7.

Mitchell's Evan Carney took top individual honors with a time of 33:56.5.