Freshman Amanda Montano, a Bronx native, has been named the CUNYAC Female Cross Country Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 18, 2026. 
 
Montano, a graduate of AP Randolph High School, won the 4K race at a double dual meet against Medgar Evers and Saint Elizabeth. The freshman led the Lightning with a time of 15:19.4 at Giralda Farms in Madison, N.J.
 
This was the fifth time this fall that Montano has been named CUNYAC Rookie of the Week.