PROVIDENCE, R.I.— The Little East Conference recently announced its end-of-the-season awards for the 2007 cross country campaign. University of Southern Maine senior Curtis Wheeler (Derby, Vt.) was named the Little East Conference Male Runner of the Year, while Keene State College freshman Craig MacPherson (Derry, N.H.) was selected Rookie of the Year this afternoon after a vote by the conference head coaches. Scott Hutchinson was tabbed Coach of the Year.

This is the first time the Little East Conference coaches’ have awarded a runner of the year. Keene State College senior Jennifer Adams was named the inaugural Little East Conference Female Runner of the Year.

Wheeler qualified for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships after placing seventh at the NCAA New England Regional Championships this past weekend. He covered the 8-kilometer course in a time of 25 minutes, nine seconds to earn the seventh and final spot in the national championship field.

At the 2007 Little East Conference Championships, Wheeler shared the individual crown with his twin brother Nick. The Wheeler brothers crossed the finish line in a time of 25 minutes, six seconds to best the 71-person conference field. They also won the Alliance Championship the same afternoon.

Already highly decorated, Wheeler captured the individual title at the University of New England Invitational and the Maine State Intercollegiate Cross Country Championship, while finishing second at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. He paced the Huskies in all seven races this season.

McPherson made an immediate impact in the Keene State roster, leading the Owls across the finish line at the Little East Conference/New England Alliance Championships on Oct. 27, hosted by UMass Dartmouth. The first-year from Derry, N.H. attained All-New England and All-Conference honors at the championship meet, covering the 8-kilometer course in a time of 25 minutes, 38 seconds. His fifth place time was the fastest by a freshman. Keene State College placed eighth in the final New England Regional poll.

Under the leadership of Hutchinson, Southern Maine has become one of the elite Division III programs in New England. The Huskies were recognized in all eight listings of the New England Region poll, earning the no. 7 ranking in the final standings (Nov. 13, 2007). Southern Maine earned the program’s best finish at the NCAA Regional Championships, placing three student-athletes on the All-New England team to record a seventh place team finish. 

Hutchinson, a tremendous motivator, mentored four All-New England Alliance and three All-Little East Conference runners in 2007, while leading one of 99 teams to earn All-Academic Team honors from the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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