BUFFALO, NY – The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced its annual cross country major awards today with Buffalo State's Ricky Curiel (East Amherst, NY/Clarence) being named the SUNYAC Cross Country Men's Rookie of the Year. Curiel is the first Rookie of the Year in program history.
 
Curiel caps-off an impressive debut collegiate campaign for Buffalo State earning Rookie of the Year honors. Curiel also earned All-Region honors, First Team All-SUNYAC following his third place finish at SUNYAC Championships and was placed in the SUNYAC Cross Country Hall of Fame. He posted a top time of 26:07 at the regional meet which also placed him in the top-15 in program history in the 8k race (since at least 2007).
 
Curiel will look to continue the momentum into track season as the Bengals open their 2025-26 indoor campaign later this evening at the Nazareth Invite.