LEOMINSTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's cross country team landed five runners in the top-10 at the Jim Sheehan Memorial Alumni Cross Country Meet on Saturday, to win the meet by a wide margin.
THE BASICS
September 2, 2017
Doyle Conservation Area
1st Place: Worcester State
2nd Place: Cobleskill
3rd Place: UMass Dartmouth
4th Place: Fitchburg State
5th Place: Framingham State
6th Place: UMass Boston
RECAP
Sophomore Elisabeth Olson (Wilmington, Mass.) broke her personal course record by eight seconds in scoring the top spot for Worcester State (2nd place). Worcester State's senior Justine Murdocca (Milford, Mass.) followed Olson and notched 3rd place, earning a 13-second course personal record.
Freshmen Shaylee Puleo (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Julia Carrier (Oxford, Mass.) took the 6th and 7th places, respectively, while sophomore Courtney Guay (Londonderry, N.H.) followed with 8th place. Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.) and Kyra Siano (N. Attleboro, Mass.) completed the top-7 today as they finished strong at the finish line.
THE TOP-7
- 2nd Place, Elisabeth Olson (20:29.27)
- 3rd Place, Justine Murdocca (20:39.89)
- 6th Place, Shaylee Puleo (21:20.67)
- 7th Place, Julia Carrier (21:26.23)
- 8th Place, Courtney Guay (21:28.87)
- 13th Place, Kelsey Bedard (21:44.43)
- 14th Place, Kyra Siano (21:46.69)
COACHES CORNER
On Elizabeth Olson's top performance: I believe Elisabeth underestimated her race ability today," commented head coach Gary Jusseaume. "My projection was for a 20:15. She ran a strong, steady pace start to finish."
On Justine Murdocca's record: "It was a terrific motivational effort following an injury this summer which impacted her training regimen," said Jusseaume. "I'm pleased with her devotion to training and mental preparation for this meet."
"Both Puleo and Carrier ran outstanding races for their first collegiate meet, and both will be major impact runners for us this season," stated Jusseaume. "Sophomore Courtney Guay's comeback race, after an injury in her rookie year, witnessed her somewhat tentative to return to college cross country. As her training advances and she regains her self-confidence she will be a potent competitor."
"Kelsey and Kyra will certainly close the short gap to their top five teammates in the next two weeks," said Jusseaume. "Their strong finish in this meet make clear they have untapped ability to push their respective paces in the coming weeks."
"I'm extremely pleased with this young team's performance today. It's one of the best team performances in well over a decade," commented Jusseaume. "With the return of Mia Rogers to competition next week, the Lancers will test its competitive depth at the University of New England Invitational."
UP NEXT
The cross country team will travel to Biddeford, Maine next week to take part in the University of New England Invitational at Rotary Park.
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