Edison, NJ – Canisius College’s Chad Maloy was named the MAAC Men’s Cross Country Performer of the Week, while Niagara University’s Kim Vona earned the award on the women’s side.

Opening the 2012 season at the Little Three Cross Country Championship on Friday morning, Maloy led the Canisius men to their seventh-straight team title en route to defending his individual crown at the event against St. Bonaventure and MAAC rival Niagara. The reigning champion coasted into the top-spot in the 5K-race with a time of 15:50, more than a 30-second lead over second-place finisher and fellow Griff Alex Simon (16:21). Maloy's victory preserved the Griffs' streak of capturing the men's individual crown since the 2007 race.

Vona was the individual champion on the women’s side at the season-opening Little Three Invitational on Friday after running a 19:19:64 in the 5k race.  She took the top spot out of the field of 27 runners while Niagara took third as a team at the St. Bonaventure Golf Course in Olean, N.Y.

The 2012 MAAC Cross Country Championships will be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Saturday, October 27.