SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is pleased to recognize Geneseo's Riley Grossman as the 2021 Men's Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year. During each season, the conference honors student-athletes for their efforts in their sport, as well as their academics. Out of hundreds of fall athletes, one athlete from each sport was selected for this distinction.
Riley was the 2021 SUNYAC men's cross country individual champion finishing the 8k course in 26:52.7 to help his team to its seventh-straight and 19th overall conference team title. With the first place finish, he was named to the All-SUNYAC First Team and he was also named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region First team after a sixth place finish at the regional meet. Grossman qualified for the NCAA championship where he finished 186th (25:22.7). The senior is a mathematics major with a 3.97 GPA.
In order to be eligible for the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year award student-athletes must prove both academic and athletic excellence by obtaining a minimum 3.30 overall GPA, be a starter or significant reserve for their team, and be at least a sophomore. The SUNYAC Scholar Athlete Award began in 2016-17.
