DANBURY, Conn. – On Wednesday (Oct. 14), the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced the Corvias ECAC Women's Cross Country Runners of the week ending Oct. 11.

They ECAC has named Worcester State freshman runner, Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.), the Division III New England Region Rookie of the Week for her performance this past weekend at the James Early Invitational hosted by Westfield State.

"With each successive meet, Mia continues to ramp up her performance level," said head coach Gary Jusseaume. "Mia's continued growth as a young collegiate runner is, to a significant degree, her mature ability to integrate hard work and preparation coupled with taking full advantage of and/or forcing opportunities throughout a race."

Rogers was Worcester State's top finisher at the invitational as she completed the 5K with a time of 19:23.82 – the second fastest time ever run in this race by a Worcester State freshman (behind Erin Donahue's 19:08.24 in 2012). She placed 18^th out of 409 runners at the race, while the team overall finished 12^th out of 39 teams.

"I like Mia's overall attitude about training and competing," said Jusseaume. "She's a terrific athlete to coach.  I'm enjoying watching her mature as a freshman athlete."

"Mia more than deserving of another "Rookie of the Week" award," said Jusseaume. "Her competitive prowess at last week's Early Invitational at Westfield was the sum of her indomitable effort throughout the race."

Next up the women's cross country team travels to Springfield, Mass. to compete in the Western New England Invitational before returning the Worcester, Mass. the following weekend for the MASCAC Championships.