WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's cross country team has been selected to finish fourth in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) preseason poll, as voted on by the seven coaches in the league.
"This season, the team is a veteran team with several freshman and sophomores that should contribute regularly to the team's success," commented head coach Al Halper.
Leading the team this season will be senior captain Devin Luce (Milford, Mass.) who had a breakthrough year during the 2016-17 athletics season for both the cross country and track & field teams. Luce's fifth place finish last year at the MASCAC's makes him one of the top competitors in the conference.
Junior Mike Ricci (Peabody, Mass.) will be right there as well, coming off of a stellar outdoor track & field season in the steeplechase and 5K.
"Last year's strength was a team that had 7-8 guys with a minimal gap of time between them with veterans Luce and Ricci moving up leading the way," mentioned Halper. "The team will be attempting to do the same this year while try to keep the pace with the team leaders."
A solid group of Christian Vera (Worcester, Mass.), Patrick Scheeler (Wakefield, Mass.), Joe Grider (Hopedale, Mass.), Jack Newcomb (Chelmsford, Mass.), Robert Davis (Acton, Mass.), Jeff Davis (Old Lyme, Conn.), and Marques Johnson (W. Hartford, Conn.) will likely fight for positions in the top seven.
Freshman Dan Roy (Dudley, Mass.) comes in with a solid resume and should add additional depth to the top group.
In addition, hopes are high for sophomore Richard Custodio (Wakefield, Mass.) and junior Carlos Nieves (Clinton, Mass.) who can also run with the top group.
"The remainder of the team is not far behind and improving steadily with both veterans and newcomers who might surprise and contribute along the way this fall," said Halper. "Traditionally a late season team, the Lancers hope to be in the hunt for the title and run their best season race at MASCAC's."
The men's cross country team kicks off the 2017 campaign on Friday, Sep. 2 at the Jim Sheehan Invitational at the Doyle Conservation in Leominster, Mass.
2017 MASCAC Men's Cross Country
Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
1. Fitchburg State (5) 35 points
2. Westfield State (2) 32 points
3. Bridgewater State 25 points
4. Worcester State 21 points
5. Massachusetts Maritime 15 points
6. Framingham State 11 points
7. MCLA 8 points