GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Lana DiRusso (Freeport, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's cross country team has been named the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week. This is the first LEC weekly award of her career. She is the second Husky to earn the Rookie of the Week this season, joining freshman Ava Collamore (Waldoboro, Maine/Medomak Valley).
 
DiRusso placed 22nd in the 6k White Open at the Connecticut College Invitational at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Conn. on Saturday with a personal-best time of 23:05.1. The meet marked the second time that she has been the top runner for the Huskies this season. She was also the top performer for the Huskies at the Ron Ouellette Invitational, the team's first meet of the year.
 
Up next for DiRusso and the Huskies will be the 2026 Little East Conference Championship on Saturday, October 31 at Vermont State University Castleton.