BENNINGTON, Vt. – The New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) has announced its weekly award winners for the period ending October 16, 2016 with Southern Vermont College freshman Davante Smith (Ellenville, N.Y.) being named the Men’s Cross Country Rookie of the Week as announced by the league on Monday.

It is the fourth rookie accolade for the Mountaineer freshman this year as he has now taken it after each of the last four races he’s competed in.

Smith had a strong showing in Saturday’s Golden Bear Invitational hosted by Western New England University, coming through third for SVC and 49th overall in the tough field of 193 runners. He crossed the line with a time of 28:57 on the 8000 meter course, setting a split pace of 5:50 per mile.

Southern Vermont swept the men’s cross country awards once again as junior Stephen McCall (Brockton, Mass.) collected his second NECC Runner of the Week honor on Monday. That gives SVC a perfect 12-for-12 in reeling in potential honors after its six races this year.

McCall was first for the Mountaineers and 23rd overall at the Golden Bear on Saturday. His time of 28:04 gave him a split mark of 5:39 per mile on the 8k course.

Smith, McCall and the Mountaineers now have one final chance to prepare for the upcoming NECC Championship, heading to Mount Greylock Regional High School this upcoming Saturday for Williams College’s Plansky Invitational (12 p.m.).

– #LetsGoSVC –