CCSU’s Brendan Mellitt (Cheshire, CT/Cheshire (Connecticut College)) capped off an impressive graduate campaign by earning the men’s cross country scholar-athlete award. Mellitt was the runner-up at the 2024 NEC Cross Country Championship, clocking in at 25:37.70 to help lead CCSU to its record-extending 12th conference title. The Blue Devils dominated the race, claiming the top four individual finishes and five of the top six overall. Mellitt shined at the New England Championships, racing to a sixth-place finish in 24:38.0 and playing a key role in CCSU’s team title win. The Cheshire, CT native went on to place 65th at the NCAA Regional (31:42.2). Excelling both on the course and in the classroom, Mellitt wrapped up his undergraduate studies with a 3.96 GPA and currently maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA as he pursues his Master of Social Work. He also earned a place on the NEC Academic and Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

CCSU graduate student Brooke Morabito (New Milford, CT/New Milford) earned the women’s cross country scholar-athlete honor following a remarkable season on the course. Morabito turned in a dominant performance at the 2024 NEC Cross Country Championship, capturing the individual title while leading the CCSU to its eighth team crown, tying the Blue Devils for the most in conference history. She crossed the tape 43 seconds ahead of the pack, posting a time of 16:39.6 that not only secured the victory, but also shattered both the championship and Stanley Quarter Park course records. A consistent top performer at the NEC meet throughout her career, Morabito steadily improved each season, culminating in her individual title after placing seventh in 2020-21, fifth in 2021 and third in 2022. With her eighth place finish at NCAA Regionals (20:02.90), she became just the second harrier in NEC history to earn an NCAA At-Large selection. Morabito, who hails from New Milford, CT, clocked in at 20:23.4 to place 70th out of 255 runners at the NCAA Championship. She also won the 2024 New England Championship (16:53.18) and was tabbed to the USTFCCCA All-Region team. With this scholar-athlete award, Morabito added to her collection, having already earned the distinction following both the 2024 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons. She has been recognized on the NEC Academic Honor Roll six times and has twice been named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Morabito graduated with a 3.64 GPA and maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA in her graduate studies in Counselor Education.

Saint Francis U senior midfielder Dolores Zavaleta (San Juan, Argentina/Central Universitario) was the field hockey scholar-athlete recipient. After collecting second team All-NEC honors in 2023, Zavaleta elevated her game to first-team status this past fall, ranking second in the league in game-winning goals (three) and fifth in assists (five). She registered the game-winning goal in victories over Ball State, Georgetown and Stonehill, and wrapped the season with four goals and six assists for 14 points. Over the course of her career, Zavaleta tallied 10 goals and 18 assists for 38 points, falling just one assist and two points shy of spots on the SFU career top-10 list. Alongside her athletic success, Zavaleta has earned a place on the NEC Academic Honor Roll four times and the Commissioner’s Honor Roll on three occasions. The native of San Juan, Argentina maintains a 3.79 GPA while majoring in General Engineering.

Robert Morris senior offensive lineman Luke Beltavski (Cleveland, OH/Benedictine) was recognized as the 2024 football scholar-athlete. A first-team All-NEC pick who anchored RMU’s offensive line, Beltavski started all 12 games and helped lead the Colonials to a 4-2 conference record, good for third place in their return to the NEC. His academic achievements mirrored his on-field success, earning him a spot on the FCS ADA Academic All-Star team for the second consecutive year. Beltavski also advanced to the CSC Academic All-America ballot following his selection to the CSC Academic All-District team. Carrying a 3,94 GPA majoring in Engineering, the Cleveland native also made appearances on both the NEC Academic and Commissioner’s Honor Roll lists.

Mercyhurst goalkeeper Danilo Abayo (Berlin, Germany/Georg-Friedrich-Händel Gymnasium (Notre Dame College/University of Northwestern Ohio)) capped off a memorable senior season by taking home the men’s soccer scholar-athlete award. A cornerstone of the Lakers’ defense, the Berlin, Germany native topped the NEC with a 1.13 goals against average and .754 save percentage, while ranking second with seven shutouts. He recorded five clean sheets in conference play, helping Mercyhurst clinch the NEC regular-season title in its first year as an NEC and DI member after posting a 5-1-2 league mark. His exceptional play between the pipes earned him a spot on the All-NEC second team. Equally committed in the classroom, Abayo boasts a 3.92 GPA as a Communications major and was recognized on both the NEC Academic and Commissioner’s Honor Rolls.

Mercyhurst graduate student midfielder Emily Mijares (Brooklyn, Ontario/Father Leo J Austin CSS) made an immediate impact in the Lakers’ inaugural NEC season, closing out her year as the conference’s women’s soccer scholar-athlete award winner. A second-team All-NEC selection, Mijares was one of the conference’s top offensive threats, finishing second on the circuit with seven goals and 16 points, while leading the league with three game-winners. The Brooklyn, Ontario product’s excellence extended beyond the pitch. She graduated summa cum laude with a 3.96 GPA in Exercise Science and has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in her graduate studies. Mijares was also named to the NEC Academic and Commissioner’s Honor Rolls.

Saint Francis U junior outside hitter Korrin Burns (Clarion, PA/Clarion Area) added another accolade to her impressive résumé with her selection as the women’s volleyball scholar-athlete honoree. Burns claimed her second consecutive All-NEC first-team honor after pacing the conference in kills per set (4.07) and points per set (4.74). She posted 20+ kills in four matches this past season, including a career-high and NEC single-game season-high 27 kills against Chicago State on November 16. Burns also showcased her all-around game with a pair of double-doubles, including a 14-kill, season-high 19-dig performance against LIU on October 4. The junior played a key role in steering SFU to a 10-4 conference mark that tied for third in the NEC. In addition to her on-court accolades, Burns was tabbed to the CSC All-District Team for the second straight year. She was also named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll for the third time and made her second consecutive appearance on the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Burns maintains a 3.82 GPA while majoring in Physical Therapy.