Manfra Highlights Four Rams All-GNAC Cross Country Nods

BOSTON – Four members of the Suffolk cross country programs raced their way to All-GNAC honors Saturday afternoon at the conference championships, highlighted by freshman's Emily Manfra Rookie of the Year accolade. 

Manfra is the first-ever Rams' runner to take home the best rookie of the season honor as the freshman, who calls Stoneham, Massachusetts home, crossed the tape in 20:02. She was just eight seconds behind individual winner Kanee Gomez-Hixson of Saint Joseph (Conn.) placing second overall and earning spot on the conference's first team. The feat marks just the second ever Suffolk runner to race to a place on the all-conference team and first since 2004.

Manfra's classmate also joined the rookie in the Rams record books as Emma Weisse came through the finishers chute just one second behind Manfra to place third and seal her spot on the all-league first team. Manfra and Weisse checked off another first for Suffolk as the pair is the first Rams duo to collect all-conference honors in the season, let alone both earning first-team recognition. 

Sophomore Audrey Kopich rounded out the Rams' representing the women's squad on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Junior David Campisano, meanwhile, represented Suffolk's men on the sportsmanship team, which was established to honor one player from each team in the conference for outstanding dedication to sportsmanship and for their portrayal of good sportsmanship, fair play and positive attitude. 

Overall, Suffolk's team's finished sixth in their respective fields at the conference tournament Saturday afternoon at Franklin Park.