WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's and women's outdoor track & field teams have been picked second and third, respectively, in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) preseason poll, as announced Wednesday afternoon by the conference.
Reigning MASCAC outdoor track & field champions, Westfield State men and women are the top pick to claim the 2017 outdoor track & field title. The Westfield State women's team earned three first place votes for 15 points to top this year's poll. Last season at the MASCAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships the Owls took home eight individual honors and the top spot in the 4x800.
Right behind in second with the final two first place votes and 14 points is Bridgewater State. At last season's meet, the Bears landed seven individual champions and two relays. Sitting in third with 10 points is Worcester State. Dalena Le in the 400 meter hurdles and Stephanie McFadries in the javelin were the top finishers for the Lancers at the 2016 outdoor meet.
Rounding out the women's poll is Fitchburg State and Massachusetts Maritime in fourth and fifth, respectively. The Falcons grabbed seven points while the Buccaneers had four.
On the men's side, Westfield State collected 15 points with three first place votes for the top slot in the poll. At the 2016 MASCAC Outdoor Championship, the Owls took home six individual titles and a relay.
Landing in the second spot with a first place vote and 12 points is Worcester State. The Lancers were led last season by Sam Weeks who was a triple threat finishing first in the shot put, discus and hammer throw. Duy Truong claimed the 200 meter dash title.
Bridgewater State is up next in third with 10 points. Last season the Bears won six individual titles and the final two relays.
Closing out the men's poll in fourth and fifth are Fitchburg State and Massachusetts Maritime. The Falcons took home the final first place vote for nine points. The Buccaneers grabbed four points in the poll. During last year's meet, all three of the Massachusetts Maritime relays finished in the top five of their respective races.
Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Massachusetts Maritime and Worcester State open their outdoor season on March 25 at the Bridgewater State Invitational while Westfield State heads to the Wesleyan University Invitational.
2017 MASCAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
|
1. |
Westfield State |
(3) |
15 points |
|
2. |
Worcester State |
(1) |
12 points |
|
3. |
Bridgewater State |
10 points |
|
|
4. |
Fitchburg State |
(1) |
9 points |
|
5. |
Mass. Maritime |
4 points |
2017 MASCAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
|
1. |
Westfield State |
(3) |
15 points |
|
2 |
Bridgewater State |
(2) |
14 points |
|
3. |
Worcester State |
|
10 points |
|
4. |
Fitchburg State |
|
7 points |
|
5. |
Mass. Maritime |
4 points |