NEW PALTZ, NY – Orquidea Briceno of the SUNY New Paltz women's cross country team has been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Athlete of the Week, becoming the first Hawk in program history to earn the conference's Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor, as announced by the conference office Monday. 

The senior cemented her place in program history following a stellar outing at the loaded RPI Fairgrounds Showdown this past weekend, earning SUNY New Paltz its first NJAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week selection. 

Briceno clocked a season-best 23:10.4 in the 6K, placing 60th overall against a highly competitive field. She averaged a 6:12 mile pace, the fastest among NJAC runners competing during the week, to lead the Hawks at the meet. 

The honor adds another milestone to SUNY New Paltz's inaugural season in the NJAC, with Briceno becoming the women's program's first Athlete of the Week recipient. 

Briceno and the Hawks return to the course Oct. 2 when they travel to Division I Lehigh University for the Paul Short Run at 4 p.m. 

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