Published:
Central cross country and track & field star standout Angie Rafter has signed to run professionally for Hansons-Brooks ODP. The Blue Devils graduate student will complete her degree this spring.
“I am so excited to continue to chase my dreams within this sport at the next level,” said Rafter. “This has been a dream of mine since as long as I can remember. My experiences at Central and the support from Coach Blake, the rest of our coaching staff, my teammates, Central athletics, the NEC, and all my loved ones have made this possible. I wouldn't be the runner or woman I am today without all of those in my corner.”
Arguably the most honored student-athlete in Central Athletics history, Rafter captured 19 Northeast Conference titles during her time in New Britain. This spring she completed her career by earning the NEC Indoor Most Valuable Performer and Most Outstanding Track Performer awards. It marked the fifth time she earned an NEC Most Outstanding Performer accolades in her storied career and the third Most Outstanding Track Performer honor.
“It’s outstanding that Angie is going to continue training and racing,” said Central head coach Eric Blake. “Her work ethic, talent, and will to succeed will keep bringing her to the top of races. We wish Angie luck with racing for the Hanson's and her continued running career.”
Leading Central to four straight NEC titles, she became just the second runner in NEC history to win three individual cross-country crowns. She helped Central to back-to-back NEC Indoor Track and Field Championships the past two seasons.
The Danielson native also excelled in the classroom. She was named the 2021-22 NEC Student-Athlete of the Year and was also the league’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. She was a semifinalist for that honor. Rafter is an eight-time Scholar-Athlete of the Year honoree within the NEC. She earned her undergraduate degree in English with a 3.96 GPA and has maintained a 4.0 in her Psychology graduate courses.