William and Mary freshman Jess Cygan (Bethlehem, Pa.) was named one of the Colonial Athletic Association's Women's Cross Country Rookies of the Year Thursday, becoming the third Tribe newcomer in the past five years to claim the award.  She is the ninth Green and Gold harrier overall to win Rookie of the Year honors.

Cygan was one of the Tribe's top runners all year long, including taking fourth at the CAA Championships to earn all-conference accolades as she helped W&M to a second-place team finish.  She was also part of the scoring five at the Southeast Regional, and took second for the Tribe at three meets including Paul Short, Wisconsin, and the conference championships.  Cygan opened her collegiate career by finishing as the top W&M runner, and second overall, at the W&M Invitational.

The CAA's year-end awards were selected by vote of the conference's coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own athletes.  James Madison's Katie Harman was named the Runner of the Year after claiming the individual conference title, and the Dukes' Dave Rinker was tabbed Coach of the Year after leading his squad to the team championship.  Cygan shared Rookie of the Year honors with Hannah Stefanoff of Georgia State.