GORHAM, Maine – Worcester State University's Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) ran a remarkable race at the Division III New England Cross Country Championships on Saturday, helping her team to a 21st place of 56 teams at the meet.
THE BASICS
November 11, 2017
DIII New England Championships
TEAM SCORES
1st Place: MIT (58)
2nd Place: Tufts (92)
3rd Place: Williams (106)
4th Place: Middlebury (113)
5th Place: Bates (150)
6th Place: Amherst (183)
7th Place: Colby (241)
8th Place: Brandeis (287)
9th Place: Wesleyan (288)
10th Place: WPI (311)
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21st Place: Worcester State (705)
WORCESTER STATE TOP-7
31st Place: Mia Rogers (22:14.1)
140th Place: Justine Murdocca (23:50.3)
146th Place: Kelsey Bedard (23:54.5)
180th Place: Riley Shaughnessy (24:26.7)
221st Place: Shaylee Puleo (24:54.1)
260th Place: Amanda Gevry (23:31.2)
275th Place: Emily Dickson (25:54.3)
RECAP
MIT was tabbed the Division III New England Champions as their scorers were all in the top-20 of the race. Tufts came in second place with a score of 92, while Williams took third place with a 106. Coast Guard's rookie Kaitlyn Mooney took the individual title as she completed the 6K in a time of 20:22.6 on the cold and windy day. Amherst College's Nicky Roberts and Tufts' Brittany Bowman took second and third places, respectively.
Worcester State's Rogers ran an incredible 22:14.1 on the course, which was good for 31st place of 393 female runners at the race. The Lancers' Justine Murdocca (Milford, Mass.) was the next Lancers to cross the finish line in a time of 23:50.3. Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.) wasn't far behind as she recorded a 23:53.5 time on the course. Of the MASCAC teams in attendance, Worcester State was edged by Westfield State, 644-705, as Westfield State's Jessica Cardin came in 15th and helped her team to a 20th place finish, just edging the Lancers.
COACHES CORNER
"The year's NCAA Division III New England XC Championship competitive field of 393 runners is arguably one of the best in years, and Mia ran a superlative race," mentioned head coach Gary Jusseaume. "This was her best NCAA performance to date (67th in 2015 and 40th in 2016)."
"We now have to wait for the NCAA to select the at-large competitors from around the country to fill the competitive field for the NCAA National Championships," said Jusseaume. "Mia is essentially on the bubble at this point. Nevertheless, Mia's entire season and race today establish her as one of the premier runners in New England."
Jusseaume also commented on Murdocca and Bedard's races, "I'm pleased with Justine's progress through the entire season and culminating with an appearance
in this meet and a respectable time of 23:50.3. Kelsey's 23:54.5 personal best performance in this meet, coupled with a superb performance in the MASCAC Championship clearly defines her maturity as a collegiate runner."
UP NEXT
The top two teams and top seven individuals earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Championship. Worcester State will await the NCAA women's selections, which will be released tomorrow (Nov. 12).
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