Three Worcester State Student-Athletes Earn MASCAC Weekly Awards (Feb. 15-21)

WORCESTER, Mass. – Three Worcester State University student-athletes of the men’s basketball and men’s indoor track & field teams have earned Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) weekly awards for the week ending Feb. 21.

Men’s Basketball:

Freshman guard, Alex Santos (Lawrence, Mass.) earned his ninth (fourth-consecutive) MASCAC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week award.

Santos averaged 12.5 points, four assists and two rebounds in a 1-1 week for the Blue and Gold.

He netted 15 points with three assists and two rebounds in the 67-64 setback to Framingham State.

He then scored 10 points, five assists and two rebounds in the 91-91 win over Westfield State.

Santos currently sits at second place in the conference in three-pointers made with 53. He ranks eighth overall in the conference in points per game, averaging 13.8 per game and 16.4 in conference play.

Men’s Indoor Track & Field:

Junior Sam Weeks (Methuen, Mass.) earned his fourth men’s indoor field athlete of the week award this season for his results at the Division III New England Championships.

“Sam has had a phenomenal season so far,” commented head coach Al Halper. He has personal records (PR’s) almost weekly in both the 35lb weight and the shot put.”

Weeks finished in third place in the shot put at the Division III New England Championships with a distance of 14.83m and added a fourth place finish in the weight throw with a personal best distance of 16.46m to earn All-New England honors in both events.

“He has been a great role model for the entire team with his work ethic and the results that he has had as a result,” stated Halper. “He has certainly been a constant source of excitement for the team each week.”

Freshman Marcus Vieira (Peabody, Mass.) earned his fifth men’s indoor track & field rookie of the week award this season for his performance at the Division III New England Championships.

“Marcus has had a solid year during his first collegiate season,” said Halper.

Vieira captured an eighth place finish in the weight throw at the Division III New England Championships with a top-throw of 15.09m, earning Division III New England honors. He also ranked 16^th in the shot put with a top distance of 13.52m.

“Placing as a freshman in a very deep field of excellent weight throwers is a fantastic accomplishment,” commented Halper. “He is presently ranked as the sixth best freshman in the DIII NCAA national rankings.”

“Marcus has a great future ahead of him and a couple more opportunities this season to reach his best effort yet,” added Halper.

Honor Roll:

Junior guard, Bilal Shakir (Worcester, Mass.) averaged 19.5 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists in a 1-1 week for the Lancers. He netted a game-high 24 points in the 67-64 loss to Framingham State and then scored 15 points with six boards and five assists in the 91-79 win over Westfield State.

Senior Francesca Casasanta (Milford, Mass.) tied for fourth place in the women’s high jump at Division III New England Championships with a top leap of 1.58m.

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