BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League announced its weekly cross country awards and Navy student-athletes Murphy Smith and Patrick Gandini were recognized by the conference for their performance at the 50th Paul Short Run hosted on Lehigh University's Goodman Campus Cross Country Course. Smith was tabbed Runner of the Week, while Gandini claimed Rookie of the Week distinction.
 
Smith clocked a time of 23:33.2 to finish the Men's College Gold 8K Race in fifth place among the 374 runners to lead the Navy men's cross country team to a fourth-place finish. He was in the top 15 throughout the entire race. The senior opened the race in 15th through the first mile of the competition. At the 5K checkpoint, Smith moved up into second place, but, in a tight grouping, dropped to sixth over the next 1,300m before crossing the finish line in fifth place. Smith's time of 23:33.2 was the fastest 8K time of the year for Navy.
 
Patrick Gandini was the top performing freshman for the Midshipmen. The rookie rounded out the top five for the Mids, clocking a time of 24:36.8, finishing 76th overall among the 374 runners in the 8K race. Gandini's time was the freshman's fastest 8K time of the season.
 
Up next, Navy will host Army in the annual Star Meet, which is part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA, on Saturday, October 19 at the USNA Cross Country Course. The women's race is slated for 11:00 a.m. with the men's race to follow at 12:00 p.m. Live results will be available.