NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -The Little East Conference office announced its annual men's cross country major awards this afternoon after a vote by the conference's coaches. University of Southern Maine senior Tyler Jasud (Rumford, Maine) was named the runner of the year for the second straight season, while University of Massachusetts Dartmouth freshman Jeremy Francisco (Dartmouth, Mass.) was selected as the rookie runner of the year. Keene State's Peter Thomas was tabbed as the coach of the year, while Rhode Island College earned the inaugural team sportsmanship award.

Jasud is the third Huskies' harrier to be named the top male runner in the conference since the Little East began its cross country major awards program in 2007. The senior from Rumford, Maine became the first Southern Maine runner to earn an All-America citation at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, placing 22nd in an elite field of 276 runners. He covered the 8-kilometer course at the Highland Hills Golf Course (Ohio) in 25 minutes, 58.1 seconds. Jasud qualified for the national meet after recording a 16th-place finish on his home turf at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships.

He helped the Huskies raise their third Little East Championship team trophy in the past four years by winning the individual race for the second straight season at the Owl Athletic Complex in Keene, N.H. The three-time All-Little East runner completed the 8-kilometer course in a time of 26 minutes, 2 seconds as Southern Maine edged the host, Owls, by just four points. Earlier this season, Jasud established a new course standard at the University of New England Invitational after completing the race in 25 minutes, 58 seconds. He was also selected as the top weekly runner four times during the nine-week program.

Francisco was the most consistent first-year runner in the Little East this season, winning the rookie of the week award six out of the nine times it was awarded. The freshman from North Dartmouth, Mass. was the top rookie runner at the Little East Conference Championships, covering the 8-kilometer course in a time of 27 minutes, 44 seconds. His 19th-place performance at the conference championship earned Francisco All-New England Alliance honors after finishing inside the top 20 in the individual standings. He also helped the Corsairs capture the team titles at the Roger Williams Invitational and the James Earley Invitational (Westfield State College).   

Thomas led Keene State to its first team appearance at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships since 2005 after finishing third at the 2009 NCAA Division III New England Championships. The Owls ranked among the elite teams in the nation throughout the campaign, debuting at No. 11 on Sept. 23 and completing the year at No. 22. Keene State finished inside the top-five in the team standings in five of its eight meets, including winning three team championships. Senior Jared Samuel (Londonderry, N.H.) paced the Owls attack throughout the campaign, leading Keene State across the finish line in five of his seven races. The Owls earned three of the seven spots on the annual All-Little East teams.  

The Anchormen completed their ninth season under Head Coach Kevin Jackson at the 2009 NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships, where Rhode Island College improved nine spots from 2008 with a 24th-place performance. The Anchormen finished fourth at the annual Little East Championships and sixth at the New England Alliance Championships, which were run in conjunction at Keene State College. Jackson led his charges to a season-low 72 points as Rhode Island College was third at the highly-competitive 24-team field at the POP Crowell Invitational. The combination of junior Mike Macedo (North Scituate, R.I.) and his freshman brother Mathew Macedo (North Scituate, R.I.) led the Anchormen in six of their seven meets. The Anchormen boast a young roster with 10 of their 12 student-athletes being underclassmen.

Initially formed in 1986 as a six-team men's and women's basketball conference, the Little East Conference has since grown to its present eight-school membership, sponsoring championship play in 19 intercollegiate athletics: baseball; men's and women's basketball; men's and women's cross country; field hockey; men's and women's lacrosse; men's and women's soccer; softball; women's swimming; men's and women's tennis; men's and women's indoor track; men's and women's outdoor track and women's volleyball.