Women's Cross Country selected seventh in MASCAC preseason poll

Westfield, Mass.—The Westfield State Owls have been selected to win their 14th consecutive Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference women's cross country championship as voted on by the seven coaches from around the league.

The 2016 Meet Champions claimed six of the seven first place votes for 36 points.

 

The Owls Jessie Cardin was the top overall individual finisher to earn MASCAC Runner of the Year honors for the third straight year. Joining Cardin on the All-Conference team are teammates Ashley Monahan in third, Lindsay Wassung in fifth, Andrea Noland in sixth and Julie Carroll in ninth.

 

Earning the final first place vote is Worcester State in second with 29 points. The Lancers finished second at last year's meet. Mia Rogers crossed the line in second place while teammate Elisabeth Olson finished 10th both earning All-Conference accolades.

 

Bridgewater State is up next in third with 28 points. As a team, the Bears were third at last year's meet led by MASCAC Rookie of the Year Jenise Madden who finished third. Kristin Grattan and Emily Guyon finished in seventh and eighth for a spot on the All-Conference squad.

 

Landing in fourth is Fitchburg State with 20 points. The Falcons as a team finished fourth last season with Ashley Hyde as the team's top finisher in 26th with teammate Nicole Gaffney right behind in 27th.

Sitting in fifth place is Framingham State with 19 points. The Rams crossed the line fifth as a team last season. Mikaela Ranahan crossed the line first for Framingham State, good enough for a 31st place finish.

 

Closing out the 2017 preseason poll are MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime in sixth and seventh with eight and seven points, respectively. The Buccaneers and Trailblazers finished sixth and seventh at the 2016 meet. Kaitlyn Wright was the top finisher for MCLA in 67th whileMara Footit was the top runner for Massachusetts Maritime, crossing the line 12th.

 

Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State and MCLA begin their MASCAC cross country on September 2 while Massachusetts Maritime and Westfield State start on September 9.

 

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation's oldest Division III men's and women's playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men's ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as an affiliate member in football beginning in 2013.

 

Pre-Season Coaches Poll (First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Westfield State (6) 36 points

2. Worcester State (1) 29 points

3. Bridgewater State 28 points

4. Fitchburg State 20 points

5. Framingham State 19 points

6. MCLA 8 points

7. Massachusetts Maritime 7 points