PAXTON, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's cross country team finished in second place overall out of six teams in the 5K Worcester City Meet Saturday morning at Moore State Park. WPI took another title since the meet started in 1987.

Lancers freshman Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) led the way, recording a record for the best time by a Worcester State University freshman at Moore State Park. She placed second out of 71 runners in the race. Rogers finished with a time of 19:52.

"Mia ran a brilliant, tactical race early in the race," said head coach Gary Jusseaume. "Her tenacity on the up hills and particularly over the final 300 meters of the race was simply outstanding. Best of all, her time of 19:52 is the fastest course time ever by a Worcester State woman runner, eclipsing the old Worcester State record of 20:15." 

Four Lancers finished in the top 20, all of whom are freshman on the Lancer squad. Two-time Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rookie of the week, Laura DelleChiaie (Haverhill, Mass.), finished 14^th overall with a time of 20:39. The next Lancer to cross the finish line was Shayla Schoeneberger (Vernon, Conn) at 21:20. Finishing one after another, freshman Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.), and freshman Katerina Lucier (Portsmouth, R.I.) took the 19^th and 20^th spot at 21:39 and 21:48, respectively.

Sophomore Sara McIsaac (Weymouth, Mass.) and freshman Mikaela Dionne (Salem, Mass.) finished in 22^nd and 23^rd place with times of 21:52 and 21:53, respectively. 

"The team as a whole achieved season best performance today with every runner attaining a personal best performance (PR), said Jusseaume. "We ran much tighter together in packs, which we've been trying to achieve in the first three meets of the season."

"I'm extremely proud of all my runners today for challenging themselves and pushing their comfort zone throughout the race. We did the job today."

Next up for the women's cross country team, the Lancers will travel to Stanley Park in Westfield, Mass. on Saturday October 10th for the James Early Invitational.

Overall Team Scores

1. WPI (19 points)
2. Worcester State (60 points)
3. Clark (Mass.) (79 points)
4. Fitchburg State (92 points)
5. Western New England (139 points)
6. Anna Maria College (182 points)

Full Results Can Be Found HERE