WORCESTER, Mass. – Three Worcester State University student-athletes earned player of the week awards for the week of Nov. 9-15 as named by the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Monday afternoon.
Men’s Basketball:
Freshman guard, Alex Santos (Lawrence, Mass.) has been awarded the MASCAC Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week for his collegiate debut in the 83-78 setback to Clark University Friday morning.
"Alex had a great first game in a Lancer uniform," said head coach Dave Lindberg. "For a freshman to have that type of a game in the that environment, he was fearless.”
Santos finished with 19 points in the game against the Cougars. He had 15 points in the first half, and then added in another four in the second.
Santos led the team in assists with four while also adding in two rebounds and one steal on the evening.
"Alex has the opportunity to have quite a career at Worcester State," stated Lindberg. "He has all the tools to be successful. He is a big guard who can play more than one position and is not afraid to mix it up."
Santos shot 50 percent from the field, 37.5 behind the 3-point arc, and 80 percent from the free throw line.
Women’s Basketball:
Freshman center, Britt Herring (W. Brookfield, Mass.) was awarded the MASCAC Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week accolade for her efforts in the Worcester City Tournament this past weekend.
Herring averaged 18 points, 10.5 rebounds and two blocks in a 1-1 week for the Lancers. She scored a team-high 16 points with seven rebounds, two steals, and three blocks in the Lancers’ 58-56 setback to Clark University on Friday. She then recorded a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds in the 56-34 win over Becker College on Saturday.
“Britt had a strong start to her college career and follows in the path of other outstanding Quaboag high School basketball players who have played at Worcester State, including Meghan Burns, Meghan O’Keefe, Reilly O’Keefe and Becca Giguerre,” stated head coach Karen Tessmer.
Herring went 57.1 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
“We are looking forward to her continued post presence both offensively and defensively,” stated Tessmer. “She's got great touch around the hoop and is a strong rebounder and shot blocker. Once she gains college experience and gets accustomed to college post play, her potential is unlimited.”
Women’s Cross Country:
Freshman runner, Mia Rogers (N. Dighton, Mass.) earned her fifth MASCAC Rookie of the Week award on behalf of her performance at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Cross Country Championship at Harkness Park in Waterford, Conn. this past Saturday.
Rogers crossed the line first for the Lancers with a 6k time of 23:06.1, placing 67th out of 390 women’s cross country runners that participate in the meet She was the first MASCAC freshman to cross the line, and she was the third finisher in the conference behind Westfield State’s sophomore Jess Cardin and Bridgewater State’s Danielle Poto.
"Mia ran an impressive race at the NCAA Regional meet,” stated head coach Gary Jusseaume. “Her time bested the previous Worcester State record by 2:42 set in the same meet on the same course in 2007."
"I harbor no doubt but that Mia's late start with pre-season training pre-empted her realizing a peak performance this season,” Jusseaume commented. “Despite the end to the cross country season, Mia still had at least a couple more personal records in the tank."
The Lancers placed 33rd out of 60 teams at the regional meet, and have concluded the 2015 season as a successful one.
"Mia's an exceptional athlete with a terrific cross country and track career ahead of her," said Jusseaume.
MASCAC Weekly Honor Roll
Junior guard, Marquez McKreith-Collins (Springfield, Mass.) finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 65 percent from the field in the 83-78 setback to Clark University.
Sophomore guard, Brianna Hackett (Hollis, N.H.) averaged 17 points, 3.5 rebounds, two steals and 1.5 assists in a 1-1 week for the Lancers. She scored 11 points, four rebounds and two assist sin the 58-56 setback to Clark University and tallied a game-high 23 points, three rebounds and three steals in the 56-34 victory over Becker College.
Freshman runner, Michael Ricci (Peabody, Mass.) finished 148th with an 8k time of 27:28 as the top finisher for the Lancers at the 2015 NCAA DIII New England Men’s Cross Country Regional Championship.
Senior men’s ice hockey forward, Nicholas Drill (Madison, Wis.) scored two goals in the Lancers’ 5-4 setback to Fitchburg State this past weekend. He scored the first goal of the game, and also a goal in the 3rd period to start the Lancers’ three-goal rally to carry the team into overtime.
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