Record-Setting Season Earns Thuotte GNAC Field Athlete of the Year Honor

WESTON, Mass. — As voted on by the coaches of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), senior Justin Thuotte was named Field Athlete of the Year after a dominant, record-setting indoor season. Joining him in conference honors, senior captain DJ Marks represented the Pride on the GNAC Sportsmanship Team.

The Lebanon, Conn. native delivered one of the most impressive all-around performances at the GNAC Indoor Championships, competing in five field events and one track event. Thuotte captured conference titles in the long jump (6.90m), high jump (1.90m), and weight throw (13.05m), while also earning runner-up finishes in the triple jump (13.45m) and shot put (12.13m). He added a sixth-place finish in the 60 meters on the track, crossing in 7.43.

His 6.90-meter mark in the long jump ranked 11th in Division III New England and met both DIII New England automatic and provisional qualifying standards. He entered the championships ranked second in the jumping events and shot put for the GNAC, while leading the conference in the weight throw following a season-best 13.59m at the Wesleyan Winter Invitational.

Throughout the season, Thuotte established three new indoor program records in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. His championship marks in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump now stand as program bests, highlighting a historic senior campaign.

Thuotte's strong season built steadily toward the championships. In January, he was named GNAC Field Athlete of the Week after breaking the indoor program record in the long jump with a leap of 6.85 meters - a mark he later surpassed at the conference meet.

Marks, a senior captain, earned recognition on the GNAC Sportsmanship Team for his leadership, commitment to the community, and unwavering support of his teammates. A respected competitor and positive presence, he consistently represented the Pride with integrity and class.

The following athletes were also named All-Conference, as determined by their finishes at the GNAC Indoor Championships:

First Team
Justin Thuotte - Weight Throw, Long Jump, High Jump
Ryan Sweeney - Shot Put

Second Team
Justin Thuotte - Shot Put, Triple Jump

Third Team
Haroun Mafhoum - Distance Medley Relay
Riley Stogsdill - Distance Medley Relay
Nathan Thomas - Distance Medley Relay
Brian LaPorte - Distance Medley Relay

The full GNAC Men's Indoor Track and Field release can be found here.