GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Conner Smith (Durham, Maine/Freeport) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's cross country team has been named the Little East Conference Runner and Rookie of the Week for the first week of the season. Smith placed first on Friday at the Ron Ouellette Invitational with a time of 15:51.3 in the 5k.
 
Smith is in his first season as a member of the Huskies' cross country team after transferring to USM during the 2025-26 indoor season. His average mile time on Friday was 5:06.2. The next meet for Smith and the Huskies will be the Maine State Meet on September 19 at Bowdoin College.