WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Worcester State University Lancers were tied for fourth in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) preseason poll as announced by the conference on Friday (Aug. 26).
The reigning MASCAC men's cross country champions, Fitchburg State, have been picked to claim the 2016 Championship as voted on by the seven coaches from around the conference.
The Falcons grabbed five of the seven first place votes for 35 points. Last season Fitchburg State finished with 24 points to win their first conference title since 2008. The team had five runners in the top 10 to earn All-Conference accolades.
Finishing in second with 31 points and a first place vote is Westfield State. The Owls were second at the 2015 meet with 41 points. Earning the final first place vote and 27 points is Bridgewater State. The Bears were third in last year's meet.
Sharing the fourth spot with 18 points are Massachusetts Maritime and Worcester State. The Buccaneers finished fourth at the 2015 meet. For the Lancers, they were fifth overall last year with Michael Ricci as their top finisher in 15th place.
Rounding out the preseason poll are MCLA and Framingham State in sixth and seventh with 10 and eight points, respectively. The Trailblazers were sixth at the meet last year, while the Rams finished seventh last season.
The MASCAC cross country season begins on Sep. 3 when six of the seven MASCAC schools start their quest towards the MASCAC Championship.
2016 MASCAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
|
1. |
Fitchburg State |
(5) |
35 points |
|
2. |
Westfield State |
(1) |
31 points |
|
3. |
Bridgewater State |
(1) |
27 points |
|
4. |
Massachusetts Maritime |
|
18 points |
|
Worcester State |
|
18 points |
|
|
6. |
Framingham State |
|
10 points |
|
7. |
MCLA |
|
8 points |
Release Courtesy of Emily Diekelmann | MASCAC Director of Media Relations