Editor's Note: The Marist Athletics Department is continuing to highlight its Senior Awards finalists. From April 20-May 15, a feature story will be presented on each finalist for Sportsperson of the Year.
Female Sportsperson Finalists: Megan Fergus (Volleyball) | Sydney Ford (Women's Rowing) | Alana Gilmer (Women's Basketball) |  Denise Grohn (Women's Cross Country/Track) | Rebekah Hand (Women's Basketball) | Samantha Mehalick (Women's Lacrosse) | Anais Mathes (Water Polo) | Ali Milam (Softball) | Juliet Nowak (Swimming & Diving) | Claire Oberdorf (Softball/Women's Basketball) | Alexa Svensson (Women's Soccer)
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Male Sportsperson Finalists: Raislan Aiken (Swimming & Diving) | Matthew Blaszczyk (Men's Rowing) | Samad Bounthong (Men's Soccer) | Grant Dixon (Football) | Tyler Kapuscinski (Baseball)
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Captain, leader and role model for men's track & field and cross country
Christopher Rivas has been selected as a finalist for Sportsperson of the Year.
Excelling on and off of the track, Rivas has set an example from the moment he arrived on campus. Marist has become a second home to him, and he can think of no way better way to have spent the last four years.
"I knew from the first time I visited Marist that I was going to come here. Coach Pete Colaizzo was outstanding in the recruiting process and was a big part of me wanting to run for this team," explained Rivas. "He's not just a coach to me, but a father figure. The difference is that Pete has so much care for his athletes, and this team has developed into a part of my family. I can count on every single one of them and it is my hope to have left some lasting impact on the program."
Rivas has had a wealth of experiences with the Red Foxes, and only wishes it didn't have to end so soon. Still, he's glad for his time with the program, and knows that it was instrumental in making him the competitor, leader and person that he is today.
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The 2017 NCAA Northeast Regionals marked one of Rivas' first memorable races in his career on the trails. On November 10, 2017, the team traveled to Buffalo, New York to race in the wind and snow against the best runners in the region, and overcame the conditions to place 18
th overall out 38 programs. Rivas placed 111
th individually, banding together with his fellow Red Foxes to represent Marist against an elite field.
The 2018 NCAA Northeast Regionals displayed similar circumstances, except with even worse conditions. The Red Foxes placed 21
st overall, and Rivas excelled to finish an impressive 92
nd out of 241 of the best runners from multiple states. Once again, he and the rest of the team came together in hazardous conditions and grew stronger for their efforts.
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In 2019, the Rivas ran his final cross country race at the IC4A Championships on November 23. The Marist men finished seventh overall, and Rivas placed 34
th with a personal best time of 26:09.00 in the 5-mile run to earn All-East honors. It was strong meet for the Red Foxes as they put together some of the top performances in Marist history on that day.
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2018 outdoor track & field was a time when Rivas came into his own as a runner, and excelled at the longest distance one could compete. His personal-record time came at William & Mary on April 5, when he finished the 10k with an elite mark of 31:08.29. He eclipsed his previous best finish by over a minute, and performed extremely well in the first meet of the season.
Just weeks later, Rivas competed in the 10k at the acclaimed Penn Relays, the largest meet of the outdoor season every year. The competition only takes a certain number of entrants each season, and with his qualifying time, Rivas was given the opportunity to race in front of thousands of people at the historic Franklin Field. He went sub-32 once again, crossing the line in 31:49.85 to complete an intense race against competitors from all across the nation.
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The 2019-20 season marked the best of Rivas' career, in which he ran personal bests on a number of occasions. Breaking the 15-minute barrier in the 5k was always a goal of his, and the day finally came on January 25. Marist traveled to Boston for the John Thomas Terrier Classic, where each event boasted fields of over 100 competitors. The senior captain ran 14:52.28, beating out his previous best by 20 seconds and placing 27
th overall. That was a special moment for Rivas, but it wasn't long before he surpassed it.
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In the final and likely best race of his career,
Christopher Rivas competed in the 5k at the IC4A Championships in Boston and smashed his previous personal-best time. He crossed the line in 14:46.97, running one of the best times in program history in what would later be known as his last competition. Rivas' mark ranks 15
th all-time in Marist history for the 5k, and this performance would serve as the perfect conclusion to his special career.
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"There is still so much potential and future success awaiting this team, and I am beyond proud of the current seniors and guys returning next year. I am honored to have been a part of it."
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Christopher Rivas was a model student-athlete for all four years at Marist, and could be counted on whether it was to perform in a meet or simply to hear advice or words of encouragement. He will be remembered as an amazing leader and teammate who helped craft the culture of the program for years to come.
"I can't believe that it has already been four years, but my time here has been nothing but surreal. I will cherish every moment I've spent with this team at Marist for the rest of my life."
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