TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's cross country and track & field programs were recognized by the USTFCCCA on Thursday afternoon, as the Engineers finished the season ranked 13^th in the organization's Division III Program of the Year award.
 
In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for each of the NCAA Championships. Scoring is based on the team's finish at each NCAA Championship in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points … 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award winner. Ties among schools split points for positions taken.
 
The Engineers performed at a high level all season long, putting up a ninth place finish in cross country before falling back in in door track and field with a 33^rd place finish. RPI finished the year strong with a 22^nd place team finish in outdoor track and field. The Engineers were led by a strong individual effort from senior Matt Lecky, who ran at nationals and set the school and conference records in the 1500 at the Widener University Final Qualifier.
 
The USTFCCCA Program of the Year Award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution's finish at the NCAA Championships.