ALBANY, N.Y. – Freshman Gabe Sturges was selected the 2009 Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Year award, league commissioner Tim Danehy announced Tuesday. St. Lawrence's Sam Rakoc was the other individual selected for the award.

Sturges is the first student-athlete, male or female, on the cross country team to win a Liberty League award.

Sturges had a spectacular performance this season, from finishing a career-high fifth place at the Mt. St. Mary's Invitational on Oct. 3 to being named New York State Male Rookie of the Year at the NYSCTC Championship on Oct. 24.