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Central Connecticut State University Athletics

Rodriguez Takes Home Third NEC Athlete Of The Week

Was top NEC finisher at the Paul Short Race

Photos: Steve McLaughlin
Photos: Steve McLaughlin
October 8, 2025

For the third time in as many races, Central Connecticut State senior Mark Rodriguez has been named the NEC Cross Country Men's Athlete of the Week. He was joined as an NEC Prime Performer by Aidan Budge.

Rodriguez posted the Blue Devils top finish at the Paul Short Invitational, placing 124th out of 1,382 finishers at the meet. He ran a time of 24:34.6 to earn seventh in the Brown Race, which consisted of 332 racers. Rodriguez was 17th through the first mile and steadily moved up the field, pushing into the top-10 as the race crossed 6,000m and moved up two spots in the final 1.7K.

Aidan Budge rallied over the last 1500m, moving up two spots in that time frame to capture 15th in the Brown Race, running 24.49.7. That placed 182nd overall in the meet.

The Blue Devils return to the course this Friday, running at the New England Championship on Friday, October 10th.

 

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