Women's Cross Country Earns First-Ever MASCAC Championship; Puleo Tabbed MASCAC Rookie of the Year

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's cross country team earned their first-ever Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's cross country championship since it started in 1985.

THE BASICS
October 28, 2017
MASCAC Championships
Stanley Park | Westfield, Mass.

TEAM SCORES
1^st Place: Worcester State (35)
2^nd Place: Westfield State (41)
3^rd Place: Bridgewater State (82)
4^th Place: Framingham State (107)
5^th Place: Fitchburg State (113)
6^th Place: MCLA (171)
 

WORCESTER STATE TOP-7
2^nd Place: Mia Rogers (18:56.54)
6^th Place: Justine Murdocca (19:48.94)
7^th Place: Elisabeth Olson (19:50.81)
9^th Place: Kelsey Bedard (19:59.01)
11^th Place: Shaylee Puleo (20:06.21)
12^th Place: Riley Shaughnessy (20:11.14)
15^th Place: Julia Carrier (20:19.24)

RECAP

The Worcester State University women's cross country team won its first-ever MASCAC Championship as four players were ranked in the top-10 on the 5K course. Westfield State's Jess Cardin earned the individual title as she completed the race in a time of 18:19.40. Worcester State's Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) followed in second place with a time of 18:56.54.

Head Coach Gary Jusseamue mentioned, "Mia ran a rather conservative final 1500 meters in the race having locked in second place and not deciding to push a sore knee. With NCAA Regionals just two weeks away, she exercised due to caution and earned a respectable time."

Westfield State had another runner come in third place, and then Bridgewater and Framingham's runners took fourth and fifth places. Worcester State's Justine Murdocca (Milford, Mass.) slipped in sixth place, while Elisabeth Olson (Wilmington, Mass.) followed with times of 19:50.81 and 19:59.01, respectively.

Murdocca earned an 18-second course personal best.  "Justine ran a terrific race as our second top runner," said Jusseaume. "Her competitive intensity today lead to a best performance of the season."

Jusseaume commented on Olson's performance, "Elisabeth's training the last two weeks was restricted by a nagging stress injury. Despite the setback, a strong race and a final 1400-meter kick secured a vital seventh place and points."

Bridgewater State and Westfield State snuck in the 8^th and 10^th places, but Worcester State took the 9^th, 11^th, and 12^th places to round out a score of 35, besting Westfield who totaled a 41 at the meet. Shaylee Puleo (Tewksbury, Mass.) was the Lancers' 11^th finisher and was named the MASCAC rookie of the year for her performance in today's meet.

"It was clear the last two weeks of training that Bedard, Puleo and Shaughnessy were the key players in securing today's win.  All three had to run personal best performances for WSU to win this meet.  Bedard ran a 13-second best performance, Puleo an astounding 49-second best and Shaughnessy a 28-second personal best," said Jusseaume.

Rogers, Murdocca, Olson, and Bedard were named to the MASCAC All-Conference team for finishing in the top-10 of the race.

COACHES CORNER

Head Coach Jusseaume commented, "This is the first conference championship win for Worcester State in the 35-year history of the women's MASCAC Championship. Until today, Westfield State had reeled off fourteen successive conference championships dating back to 2004."

Jusseaume concluded, "I am proud of this team's hard work, dedication, and competitive focus."

UP NEXT
Two weekends from today, the Lancers will travel to Portland, Maine to compete in the Division III New England Championship.

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