Benjamin Fazio Named Performer of the Week

2016 Oct 5

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athlete Benjamin Fazio of East Greenwich 02818 has been recognized by the Liberty League, earning the conference's Performer of the Week in men's cross country, it has been announced.

In the 14-school Saratoga Invitational held at the Saratoga Spa State Park, Fazio (East Greenwich, RI / East Greenwich), a captain, won the individual title and helped the Engineers to a first place team finish. He ran the men's 8K course in a 5:05 pace to register a time of 25:11.3. He was 15 seconds ahead of the runner-up in the 172 person field. As a team, the Engineers compiled 23 points, which was 70 points ahead of the second place squad, SUNY Delhi.

Fazio has been chosen to the league's Weekly Honor Roll on several occasions this season, including last week when in the premier Division III meet, the Purple Valley Classic, hosted by Williams College at Mount Greylock High School, he finished third overall. He ran the 8K course in 5:08 per mile, crossing the finish line in 25:28.9. He missed second place by less than two seconds.

A two-time National All-America, Fazio was also selected to the September 12 Weekly Honor Roll after finishing fifth in the 238-runner Ron Stonitsch Invitational hosted by Vassar College. He ran the 6K race in a time of 19:31.2 (5:14.1 pace), which was less than five seconds from fourth place and fewer than 10 from a top three finish.

Fazio was the league's top weekly performer three times as a junior and once as a sophomore. He collected three Rookie of the Week awards in his first season.