LEOMINSTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's cross country team opened up their 2015 season Saturday morning at the Doyle Conservation Center with the 5K Jim Sheenan Memorial Alumni Invitational, hosted by Fitchburg State University.
The Worcester State Lancers received top honors with 37 points, attaining first place at the meet. Four Worcester State runners placed in the top ten of the meet.
The Lancers' freshman, Laura DelleChiaie (Haverhill, Mass.), led the team and set the pace, as she placed fourth in the race with a time of 20:52.
Head coach, Gary Jusseaume said, "Laura's fourth place meet finish as Worcester State's top team finisher was an unexpected surprise. Laura ran a steady, even-paced race despite running off the lead pace for the first mile."
Right behind DelleChiae, was freshman Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) with a time of 21:08, and then another freshman, Shaylay Schoenberger (Vernon, Conn.) with 21:29. Also in the top ten, was freshman Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.) with a time of 22:02
Rounding out the remaining three runners for Worcester State was sophomore Justine Murdocca (Milford, Mass.) with 22:36, freshman Mikaela Dionne (Salem, Mass.) with 22:56, and freshman Katerina Lucier (Portsmith, R.I.) with a time of 22:56.
"Six of the top seven finishers for our team were freshmen, and this bodes well for the future of this team and the program," said Jusseaume. " I am pleased with the progress this entire team made during pre-season training and their effort in today's meet."
Next weekend the women's cross country team will travel to the University of New England Invitational in Biddeford, Maine where they will look for another regional top finish.
Overall Team Scores:
- Worcester State University (37 points)
- Fitchburg State University (62 points)
- St. Joseph (CT) (67 points)
- Framingham State University (99 points)
- Lasalle University (111 points)
- UMass Boston (162 points)
- Mass. Liberal Arts (179 points)