Albany, NY—The Sage College's department of athletics gathered to recognize and honor the outstanding performances of the 2017-2018 year with the naming of the athletic award winners for the 15 varsity athletic teams. In addition to awarding the Gator Award, for the Most Outstanding Player, the department also named the 2017-2018 Female and Male Athletes of the Year as well as the Dean Sharon Robinson Senior Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year, which is given to the senior student-athlete with the highest overall grade point average, as well as the Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award.

Sage also awarded the Gator of the Year to members of the varsity teams, often awarded to the team's most valuable player. Named the Gator of the Year in men's cross country this year was junior Jarryd Wick (Ayers, MA/E.F. Parker School). Over the course of the 2017 season, Wick competed at every single race and helped Sage with his efforts on the course.  

Head men's cross country coach Zachary Williams noted of Jarryd, "Jarryd has one of the best attitudes that I have encountered as a coach." Williams added, "It's not easy being the only male on the team. I personally tried to run with him whenever I could, but most days he would be on his own. The season is long on its own, but feels doubly so when you have to run on your own. Yet he never complained, and was enthusiastic each day for the upcoming practice."

In the fall, he was named to the 2017 Empire 8 Men's Cross Country Sportsmanship Team for his efforts. He posted a time of 33:25.3 to take 60^th at the Empire 8 Championship. He also posted a time of 30:40.00 to finish in 20^th place with his best time of the year, while racing at the Green Mountain College Invitational. He opened the fall at the Siena Short Course race, posting a time of 24:26.0 to finish in 30^th for the 6 k course.